
Book._ 



G)pgM\N? 

COFYRIGiiT DEPOSm 



SCOUTS, SPIES and HEROES 

OF THE 

GREAT CIVIL WAR 

HOW THEY 

LIVED, FOUGHT and DIED for the UNION 

INCLUDING 

Thrilling Adventures, Daring Deeds, Heroic Exploits, Excit- 
ing Experiences, Wonderful Escapes of Spies, Scouts 
and Detectives; with Anecdotes, Watch- 
words, Battle Cries, and Humorous 
and Pathetic Incidents of 
the War 

EMBRACING 

TRUE STORIES OF 

DARING, COURAGE and SELF-SACRIFICE 

BY 

CAPTAIN POWERS HAZELTON 



-wc--^: . ••^- 



Superbly Embellished with Many Thrilling and Very 
Attractive Illustrations. 



I\ ATIONAL PUBLISHING CO. 
NO. 241 American Street, 

PHILA^DELPHIA,. PA, 



PRKFACE. 



This book, friendly reader, was not created; like Topsy, "it 
growed." The author or compiler, whichever term you may 
choose to give him, had for four years past been a not uninter- 
ested observer of the great struggle, which it had been his duty 
elsewhere to chronicle. In his researches into the causes and 
events of the war, its fearful battles, its alternations of light and 
shadow, its changes of policy, and its final and glorious triumpha, 
he had had abundant occasion to notice those personal achieve- 
menta, those noble sacrifices, and that fearless devotion to the 
national cause which have so greatly distinguished this conflict 
In the pages of a history of the war, such narratives and 
incidents could find no place; vet it seemea unjust to the great 
Bouls who had laid every thing upon their country's altar, with 
oat a murmur or a sigh, that their glorious sacrifices snould 
Dot be held in grateful remembrance; and it was fix>m the 
desire to do some justice to their memory, that at an eany 
day the writer commenced, at first for his own private read 
ing merely, the collection of narratives and incidents of per 
sonal adventure and sacrifice in the war. Some of these were 
found in print, in books, periodicals, and newspapers; others 
were preserved in the annals or reports of charitable institu- 
tions, like the Saoitary and Christian Commissions ; a few had 
trmn<\ reoord frcmi a poet's pen, and a considerable number 

7 



8 PREFACE. 

tbongh matters of oral tradition, had never appeared in print 
but were gleaned from the narrations of the parties themselves, 
or their friends. The garnering of these was a worfe of great 
delight to the writer, and as time passed on he felt desirona 
that others should share the pleasure he bad enjoyed, in the 
perusal oi the heroic deeds of his countrymen and country- 
women ; and bo the book grew into such form and symmetry 
as it now possesses. In the hands of the American public ne 
leaves it, with the conviction that they will De lenient to any 
&ults they may observe in it, and will appreciate his nonest 
ftnd pains-taking endeavor to oresent to them a record of some 
of tne personal adventures and incidents of the war. 



CONTENTS. 



A Nameless Spy .... 
A Female Scout and Spy 
Adventures of Harry Newcomer . 
Amusing Instance of Rebel Desertion 
Acre of Fire, The .... 

Bible Smith 

Corporal Pike, Scout and Ranger . 

Capturing a I,ocomotive . 

Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station, The 

Destruction of "Albemarle," The . 

Daring Scout and Spy, A 

Fighting Parson, A . 

General Palmer and the Hog 

Hetty McEwen 

Irish Sentinel, The . 

Keller or Killdare . 

Moore and Blue 

One of Logan's Men 

Pauline Cushman . 

Prayer of the Wicked, The 

Passage of Port Hudson Batteries, The 

Running the Batteries at Vicksburg 

Scouting in East Tennessee . 

Three Soldiers Captured by a Boy with 

Wrong Side of the Curve, The 

Zagonyi's Charge .... 



a Cofifee-Pot 



PAGE 

. 26 

. 66 

, 73 

, 130 

, 256 

165 

34 

191 

241 

249 

142 

140 

155 

253 

72 

131 

11 

255 

100 

33 

224 

235 

157 

190 ' 

204 

210 



MOORE AND BLUE, 

THE KANSAS SCOUTS. 

The border ruffian warfare, which had been waged 
for several years in Kansas and Western Missouri, before 
the rebellion, was admirably calculated to train up num- 
bers of daring, adventurous spirits, to whom life would 
be altogether too tame, unless there were dangers to 
face, foes to outwit, and hazards to run. Among these, 
few have led lives of more extraordinary danger and 
lawless adventure, and at the same time made interestr 
ing by a more firm and enduring friendship, than the 
two young scouts whose history we sketch from the 
annals of the Army of the ( umberland. 

In 1856, two young men— Frank M. Blue, formerly 
of Michigan, but now from Illinois, and Henry W. 
Moore, of Brooklyn, N. Y., met in Leavenworth City, 
Kansas, whither they had come for the purpose of pre- 
empting land in that territory. Taking a fancy for 
each other, they set out for the interior in company. 
At Ossawatamie they met John Brown, joined him in 
scoutmg after border ruffians, and participated in the 
fight at Hickory Point, where Brown, his son, and 

11 



12 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

twenty-seven men, routed forty of them strongly p eted 
in a blacksmith's shop, by backing up against it a load 
of hay, and burning them out. Leaving Brown, they 
next went to Jennison's camp at Mound City, which 
was made in such a shape as to resemble a group of 
hay-stacks. While here, they, in company with eight 
others, crossed the Missouri river, surprised the town 
of Rushville, capturing thirty border ruffians and a 
number of the citizens, broke their guns, and carried 
away their horses, money, watches, etc. Afterward they 
joined the Utah Expedition, under General A. S. John 
ston, and with it went through to Salt Lake City 
Leaving there on their own responsibility, the fame of 
the Mexican silver mines attracted them to Peubla, 
where they remained four months, in company with a 
mixed crowd of miners, Lidians, and Mexican peons. 
Having accumulated a considerable amount of silver, 
the spirit of adventure led them to Santa Fe, where, 
some of the party getting themselves into a difficulty, 
a hasty flight northward became necessary. Procuring 
a Mexican boro (jackass), and loading him with a few 
crackei"S and their personal effects, they set out for Fort 
Union, one hundred miles distant. Here they procured 
a mule, and crossed over to Bent's Fort, where they 
joined the Kiowa Expedition, under Major Sedgwick. 
Returning from this, they proceeded to Camp Floyd, 
and thence across Kiowa Pass to Pike's Peak, where 
they "jumped" a claim, and went to mining. Here 
they spent the sununer, and in the fall hired to Joe 
Doyle, a Mexican trader and ranchero, to go down the 
Waifoma river and oversee his peons and take charge 
^f his herds. Remaiiing all winter on his ranch, they 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 13 

went again next spring to Leavenworth, and hired as 
riders to the California Overland Express Company, in 
which business they remained until the outbreak of the 
rebellion. 

With the prospect of active service, they could ndv 
stand idly by and see others engaged, and accordingly^ 
recruited ten men, with whom they jouied Captain 
WilUam Cleaveland's independent company for the de- 
fence of the Kansas border. Their first exploit was a 
dash into De Kalb, Missouri, where they captured twelve 
or fourteen prisoners and forty horses and mules. A 
large party, however, pursued them, overtook and cap- 
tured them at Atkinson's ferry, carried them to St. 
Joseph, and lodged them in jail. The good people of 
St. Joseph were very anxious to have them tried and 
sent to the penitentiary at once ; but there was no court 
in session, and the only recourse was to lock them up in 
the jail, where they did not remain long. The guard 
was made drunk with drugged whiskey, the negro cook 
was bribed with a twenty dollar gold piece to steal the 
keys from the jailer, the door was unlocked at mid- 
night, and the whole party walked out just ten days 
after they had been incarcerated. One John Seelover, 
a friend, had a skiff near at hand to cross them over the 
nver, and a conveyance on the other side to take them 
to Atchison the same night. The next uight, nothing 
daunted by their recent jail experience, the same party 
crossed in a flat boat to Missouri, captured from the rebel 
farmers horses enough to mount themselves, and returned 
again, after giving the people thereabouts a good scare. 
The evening following, a negro came to their head- 
quarters at Pardee, eight miles from Atehison, and said 



14 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

that his rebel master, John Wells by name, and living 
twelve miles south of St. Joseph, was to leave the next 
morning for Price's army with two wagon loads of goods 
and a coffin full of arms. The company started over 
immediately, the negro acting as guide. The rebel was 
found, and so were the goods, consisting of bacon, Hour, 
sugar, coffee, tobacco, whiskey, powder, and lead, but no 
arms. Demand was made for the latter, but the pris- 
oner denied having any. A lariat was then thrown 
over his neck, and drawn tight for a few minutes, when 
he disclosed their place of concealment — a newly-made 
grave, with head and footboard — in which were found 
twenty stands of arms of all kinds^ and a box of pistols, 
all of which were taken to Fort Leavenworth, and 
turned over to the United States Government. 

Many other expeditions were made, until Cleaveland 
and his band were known and feared all over that 
country. On one of these, it was ascertained that Major 
Hart, of Price's army, was at his home, fifteen miles 
from Weston, with ten men. The company immedi- 
ately set forth to capture them, a woman — Mrs. Chandler 
— acting as guide. The Major, his men, and the stock 
on his farm were taken and carried to Geary City, 
Kansas, where the stock was just put away and twelve 
men left as a guard over the prisoners, when forty Mis- 
Bourians rode up and demanded their surrender. Chand 
ler, who stood in the porch, said they would never sur- 
render — when he was shot dead, eleven bullets being 
found in his body. His wife and the remainder fired 
from the house, and picked them off so fast, that they 
were compelled to retire to Fort Leavenworth, eight 
miles distant, ^i hence they brought up a company of the 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 16 

First Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Fuller, to their 
assistance, and finally succeeded in capturing the Uttle 
garrison. They were taken to the fort, and, no one 
appearing against them, were speedily released by Major 
Prince, of the U. S. Regulars, commanding the post. 
Not long after this, Moore, Blue, William Tuff, of Bal- 
timore, and Cleaveland, dashed into Kansas City, and 
levied a contribution of some thirty-three hundred dollars 
in coin upon two secession bankers who had rebel flags 
flying at their windows. They were pursued, but made 
their escape, divided the money equally, and all four 
went to Chicago to spend it, which they did most 
liberally ; and in June, 1861, returned to Leavenworth. 
Here Moore and Blue, who had become fast friends, 
separated ; the latter going into Missouri on several jay- 
hawking expeditions, and the former acting as guide to 
Greneral Sturgis, and participating in the battles of Dug 
Spring and Wilson Creek. Moore relates many interest- 
ing adventures which befell him while thus engaged, of 
which, one is here given as an illustration of his shrewd- 
ness and foresight. Having been sent by General Lyon 
to ascertain about certain guerillas that were lurking 
about the country, he dressed himself in butternut uni 
form, and set out. Thinking, however, that he might 
be captured on the trip, he determined to avail himself 
of a trick he had somewhere read of; which was, to 
take a large minie ball, cut the top off, hollow it out, 
and then take the other part and make of it a screw to 
fit on again, thus forming a kind of little box. He then 
took a piece of parchment paper, and writing on it, in a 
peculiar hand, a commission in the secret service of the 
Confederate at»ny, and signing to it the -^.ame of General 



16 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

Price, enclosed it in the bullet, screwed it up, and started 
on again. He had gone but a little way when, sure 
enough, he fell into the hands of Sy Gordon's guerilla 
band, who proposed hanging him at once. Gordon told 
him he had orders to hang all such suspicious characters 
as he was, and that he should do it. Moore replied that 
he had very little to say, b>at he wished he would do 
him the favor to take that bullet to Gene^'al Price after 
he had hung him. Gordon seemed much amused at so 
trifling a request, and said to his prisoner that he must 
be either crazy or a fool. When informed that there 
was more about the bullet than he had any idea of, he 
insisted that he should be shown what it was; but 
Moore refused, saying that he was sworn to say nothing 
about it. Gordon was nonplussed for a while, but, ex 
amining the bullet very closely, soon saw the trick, un 
screwed the top, and took out and read the contents. 
Turning to Moore, he told him he was " all right," and 
furnished him with a better horse than he then had, on 
which he at once started back. On arriving at camp, 
he related his adventure, whereupon a body of cavalry 
was sent out in pursuit, and the next day succeeded in 
capturing a number of the band. 

Late in the fall, Moore and Blue again met in Leaven- 
worth, and both went toward Springfield as guides and 
spies for Lane and Sturgis's commands. On Christmas 
day, both were sent by General Steele into Price's camp, 
whither they went, and returned on January 3d, 1862. 
Four miles from Warsaw, they found Christmas was 
being celebrated by a ball, at which many rebel oflBcers 
were present. Li company with some rebel teamsters, 
they devised a plan to scare these ofl&cers off, and seoure 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 17 

to themselves the field and the girls, by rushing up tc 
the house and shouting, at the top of their voices, 
" The Feds are coming ! the Feds are coming !" The 
plan worked admirably : the officers rushed away in hot 
haste — one even falling into the well — and our plotters 
were left in full possession of the premises. Coming 
back to Sedalia, they were engaged by Colonel Weir a* 
guides. Going ahead one day to select a camping ground, 
they came to a house where was a man very hospitably 
inclined, asking them to stop, put up their horses and 
feed them with com, of which he had plenty. Repre- 
senting that they had been pressed into the service, but 
were in heart with the rebels, their entertainer grew 
confidential, and told them something about himself — 
that he acted as a spy, carried despatches wrapped in « 
cigar, etc. The information thus obtained from him, 
contributed to the capture, by General Pope, at Black- 
water, of thirteen hundred rebels, with all their equip- 
ments. They accompanied General Pope on his expedi- 
tion to Warrensburg, where he captured Colonel Parke's 
rebel force ; and then returned to Kansas, where they 
jayhawked for a month or two. Going again to Mi» 
Bouri, they learned that Quantrell's guerilla band was in 
the vicinity of Independence. With eleven comrades, 
chey went there, captured the town, quartered themselves 
in the court house, and badly frightened the people, who 
thought, of course, that they were only the advance- 
guard of a larger body behind. Quantrell soon came 
into the place with forty-five men, and demanded their 
surrender. This was refused, and a skirmish commenced, 
the occupants of the court house firing out of the doors 
and windows, and finally succeeded in dispersing the 
8 



18 NABBATIYES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

besiegers, who went oflffor reinforcements. The thirteen 
now thought it best to retire, which they did, skirmish- 
iug for one and a half miles to a stone fence, when the 
guerillas mounted. The jayhawkers now ensconced 
themselves behind the fence. Holding their position 
until dusk, they then scattered, having killed five and 
wounded seven of the guerillas. Pursuit was made by 
the latter; but the darkness enabled them to escape, 
and they soon put an effectual end to it by cutting the 
telegraph wire, and stretching it across the road firom 
fence to fence. 

The twain now joined Grenerals Curtis and Sigel as 
couriers, and made several dangerous trips between the 
army and RoUa, carrying despatches each way, on one 
of which Blue was taken prisoner and held as such for 
six weeks. Both accompanied General Curtis in his 
terrible march through Arkansas to Helena, and met 
with many stirring adventures by the way. One day 
while they were riding in company with Newton Blue, 
a brother of Frank and also a scout, they came suddenly 
upon five rebels in a lane, with whom they stopped and 
talked for some time, representing themselves as Southern 
men. The rebels soon heard a bugle behind them, how- 
ever, and, suspecting all was not right, made a charge 
upon our scouts, who killed three of them and captured 
their horses, the remaining two falling into the hands of 
the Federal advance. At Helena they engaged in buying 
cotton for the speculators, and in one of their excur- 
sions were captured by the guerillas. Pretending to be 
rebels, they joined a portion of Jeff Thompson's gang, 
and, remaining with them eleven days, obtained much 
information concerning him. Having had enough oi 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. 19 

guerilla life, they planned an escape, in this wise. An 
old negro, of whom they knew, was just going into 
Helena with a load of cotton for sale. By him they 
sent word to General Steele of an arrangement which 
had been made to rob him on his return of the proceeds 
of the cotton. The message was carried and delivered 
faithfully, and on his way back the negro was robbed, 
as proposed, of his eleven hundred dollars in greenbacks, 
which were found hidden away in his boots ; but just as 
the thirty-one guerillas were dividing the spoils, the 
second battalion of the first Missouri Cavalry came up 
and captured the whole party, all of whom were subse- 
quently sent to St. Louis as prisoners. 

From Helena Moore and Blue next went to Columbia, 
and then to Corinth, where they detected and arrested 
two counterfeiters, making a great haul of counterfeit 
St. Louis city treasury warrants and gold dollars, both 
of which were well executed. Accompanying Colonel 
Truesdail's police force to Louisville, they there played 
the rebel, and hunted out Palmer and Estes, who burned 
the ammunition steamers at Columbus and were after- 
ward sent to Camp Chase. With our army they came 
on to Nashville, and afterward ran as mail messengers — 
a very dangerous service. Getting on the track of a 
band of guerillas between Bowling Gieen and Nash- 
ville, they piloted a cavalry force to the neighborhood, 
and captured a considerable number, who were brought 
to Nashville and were properly dealt with. They neii 
made a successful spy trip to Murfreesboro, going by 
way of Lavergne and crossing at Sanders' Ferry. Dr. 
Goodwin, of the rebel army, whom they had fallen in 
with on the way, vouched for them, and they passed 



20 NABRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

the pickets into the towD readily enough. Once in, 
they made the circuit of the town and camps, obtaining 
all the information they could, and then began to think 
of getting back. It was arranged that Moore should gp 
to Chattanooga for further observation, while Blue would 
return to Nashville and report what they had already 
«een and heard. With this understanding, both went 
at once to the provost-marshal's office for passes. At 
that time Captain Williams was provost-marshal, whom 
they found somewhat crabbed and chary of words. 
Making known their wants, they were saluted in this 
manner : — 

" Want a pass to Chattanooga, do you? Lots of 
people in that fix. What d'ye want to go there for ?" 

" We want to join Jack Jones's cavalry company," 
replied Moore, at a venture, who had heard of such a 
company. 

" If that's all you want, you needn't go to Chatta- 
Qooga for it. Jones and his company are here now." 

This was a new and not pleasing phase of afiairs ; and, 
to add to their difficulty. Captain Brenton called Jones 
in at once, and told him here were two men who wished 
to join his company, and he'd better have them swoni 
in right away. Fairly caught in their own trap, thei'6 
was no escape, and, trusting the future to good luck, 
they yielded to their fate, and were sworn in. Three 
days afterward, they with three others were detailed to 
duty on the second picket line, and determined to take 
advantage of this opportunity and make their escape. 
Some distance from their station was a house where 
whiskey could be obtained at exorbitant prices; and 
Bdoore and Blue proposed tc their companions that if 



NARRATIYES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AXD DETECTIVES. 21 

they would go and get the whiskey they would pay for 
it, and guard the post during their absence. This waa 
agreed to ; and the whiskey seekers were hardly out of 
sight when our two scouts rode off in hot haste to the 
outer pickets, two guards being on duty in the road, 
the remainder of the pickets being near by at their fire, 
and their horses tied close at hand. They were accosted 
by the guard with the usual — 

*'Halt ! who comes there ?" 

*' Friends, with the countersign !" was the answer. 

" Dismount; advance, one, and give the countersign,** 
was now the order. 

Our scouts had foreseen this, and planned accordingly. 
Hence, they rode up briskly to the pickets ; and while 
they pulled and tugged upon the bridle reins to hold in 
their fiery steeds, the spurs upon their heels were doing 
equally good service in urging the animals forward, and 
they could not be stopped until abreast of the pickets 
and nearly touching their opposing muskets. Moore 
then leaned forward, without dismounting, as if t© give 
the password, and suddenly jerked to one side the 
bayonet and loaded gun of the nearest guard, while with 
his other hand he shot him dead with his pistol, sud- 
denly drawn from his holster. The ball penetrated the 
forehead, the guard falling over backward, his mouth 
wide opened. Blue at the same time drew a pistol and 
shot the other guard dead in his tracks, and away they 
flew down the road, and were speedily lost in the dark- 
ness and distance. The rest of the rebel pickets did nol 
pursue them, but our scouts could hear them shout after 

them long and loudly, "Oh, you infernal Yankees!" 

etc., etc. The scouts soon tock toth^ woods, travelling 



22 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

all night in the direction of Nashville, and meeting witb 
no further adventure until soon after sunrise, when one 
of them espied a moving object in their front, at a con- 
siderable distance. A second glance revealed it to be a 
'^butternut," with gun in hand, who at that instant 
glided behind a tree and took deliberate aim at them. 
Our scouts, who were also in butternut, were not taken 
aback. Keeping on at an easy horse walk, and appa- 
rently noticing no one, one of them begins to sing, in 
a. brisk, cheery voice, a verse of the " Dixie" song, 

TOding — 

" In a Southern land I'll take my stand, 
And live and die in Dixie," etc. 

As they neared the butternut, he was observed to 
lower his gun and emerge from behind the tree. When 
abreast, he accosted the twain :— 

" Halloo, boys ! which way ?" 

*' All right ! — taking a little scout this morning," was 
the answer. 

The " butternut," who was a rebel scout or guerilla, 
«vas now near them, unsuspecting, and inclined to be in- 
(][uisitive and sociable, his gun over his shoulder. But 
our men were in haste, and had a vivid remembrance of 
chat previous moment when he had drawn a bead on 
ihem, in such a cold-blooded manner, from behind the 
tree. One of them draws his revolver as quick as thought 
and shoots him dead ; and again they ride forward briskly 
for a while, and eventually reach the Federal lines neai 
Nashville in safety, but through dangers to be feared 
upon every hand, from behind each tree, or rock, or 
bush — as they were traversing debatable land, between 
two great contending armies, and known to be swarming 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 28 

with scouts, spies, and troops, and especially rebel gu^ 
rillas or " partisan rangers." 

Acting as secret policemen and detectives, they now 
assisted in developing several important cases, a full 
mention of which would fill many pages of this work. 
Occasionally they varied their daily routine by acting 
as guides to cavalry expeditions, in which they rendered 
efficient service. One of their adventures in Nashvillfi 
\8 worth relating. 

After the battle of Stone River large numbers of rebel 
prisoners were sent to the city and allowed their parole, 
whereupon the wealthy secessionists of the place seized 
every opportunity to feed, clothe, and encourage them. 
One day, as Moore and Blue were walking down High 
street in the dress of Confederate prisoners, they were 
invited into an elegant residence and were kindly enter- 
tained by Miss Hamilton, one of the reigning belles of 
Nashville. Conversation naturally ensued concerning 
the relative merits and demerits of the North and South, 
in the course of which Miss Hamilton said she had done 
every thmg in her power to aid the Southern cause. She 
had sent letters of encouragement, she said, and also a 
Southern flag, through the lines. She told them of an 
old Irishwoman who was in the habit of carrying out 
goods in a market wagon which had a false bottom. She 
said, too, that Governor Andy Johnson once had her 
brought before him and gave her a severe lecturing, but 
she soon talked him over, and persuaded him into giving 
her a pass to go two miles out of the city to see her auni, 
and that when once beyond the lines she went to the 
rebel army at Murfreesboro. She further said that a 
Mrs. Montgomery, who lived two miles out on the Frani 



24 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

lin pike, had taken out more goods than anybody else 
in Nashville. When she went to Murfreesboro she 
took out with her letters, and had given to Southern 
soldiers coming into Nashville large quantities of cloth 
ing, and finally demonstrated her good will by presenting 
Moore with a fine pair of pants and other clothing and 
a pair of new boots. In return for these acts of kindness, 
Colonel Truesdail sent her the following letter of 
thanks : — 

" Offioi Chi» Abmt Policb, January 10, 1863. 

"Miss Hamilton, High Street: — 

"Dear Miss : — Please accept my grateful acknowledg- 
ment for your kindness — during the arrival of a large 
number of Confederate prisoners in the city from the 
battle of Stone River, and their stay here — in calling 
mto your beautiful residence one of my secret police, 
and for the kind and benevolent treatment you extended 
to him. Also for the new suit of clothes and the cav- 
alry boots given him, the valuable information of your 
labors in the Confederate cause furnished to him, and 
the knowledge aflforded me of your persevering energy as 
a spy and smuggler. I shall endeavor to profit by it, 
and may have occasion to send another officer to you. 
" Respectfully, 

"William Truesdail, 
" Chief Army Police/* 

After this they accompanied a cavalry police expedi- 
tion for the purpose of capturing Captains Young and 
Scruggs — the leaders of a band of guerillas on White's 
Creek, who were a terror to the whole country. They 
were at the house of an old man named McNeil, which 
was surrounded and a demand made for Young and 
Scruggs. There being some sixty troops to back the de- 
mand, the old man did not dare to deny their presence 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 26 

and, without deigning any reply, turned at once, went 
into the house, and bolted the door. This slight bar- 
rier was speedily broken down, and the crowd rushed 
in. Search was made everywhere — down-stairs and 
up, under beds, in chimneys, and under the floor ; but 
neither Young nor Scruggs was found. As a last resort, 
they went to the girl's bedroom ; and there — in bed be- 
tween two full-grown young women — the valiant Young 
was found snugly hidden away. He was unceremoni- 
ously dragged out, and Scruggs, in the meanwhile, having 
been found in a hay-loft, both were taken to Nashville, 
and thrown into the penitentiary at that place, awaiting 
their trial. 

After their return to Nashville, Moore and Blue were 
constantly engaged for a number of months in the in 
vestigation of numerous minor cases of smuggling and 
fraud, and succeeded in making Nashville too hot a 
place for the swarms of rebel emissaries who had so long 
made it their headquarters. 



< >i — II > 



At the outbreak of the war, in 1861, a Southern mer 
chant wrote to a large firm in New York, requesting a 
list of the names of those who supported and sympar 
thized with the "movement against the South." The 
New Yorker replied by sending, through Adams & Co.'s 
Express, a copy of the " City Directory 1" 



26 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

A NAMELESS SPY. 

General Garfield relates, in the annals of the Army 
of the Cumberland, a thrilling and interesting narrative 
of a nameless Union spy (nameless, because, at that time 
to have given his real name, would have brought down 
upon him and his family the bitter vengeance of the in- 
fluential rebels of Kentucky and Tennessee), who, as he 
states, went into and came out from Bragg's army at 
Murfreesboro three times during the week of battles at 
Stone river — ^who even dined at the table of Bragg and 
of his other generals — who brought us correct information 
as to the force and position of the rebel army, and o£ 
the boasts of its head officers. This spy was the first to 
assure us positively that Bragg would fight at Stone 
river, telling us of that general's boast, that "he would 
whip Rosecrans back to Nashville if it cost ten thousand 
men." For the four days* service thus rendered by our 
Bpy he was paid five thousand dollars by order of our 
general, and the author saw the money passed to him. 

In 1862 there lived in the State of Kentucky a Union 
man, with his wife and children. He was a friend of the 
Union, and an anti-slavery man u]3on principle. After 
the rebellion broke out, and when the " Southern heart" 
had become fired, this man, living in a strong pro-slavery 
region, and surrounded by opulent slaveholders — his 
own family connections and those of his wife being also 
wealthy and bitter secessionists — very prudently held his 
peace, feeling his utter inability to stem the tide of the 
rebellion in his section. This reticence, together with 
his known Southern birth and relations, enabled him to 



NARBATIYES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AOT> DETECTIVES. 27 

pass unsuspected, and almost unobserved, at a time 
when Breckinridge, Marshall, Preston, and Buckner, 
and other ardent politicians of Kentucky chose the re- 
bellion as their portion, and endeavored to carry with 
them the State amidst a blaze of excitement. Thus, 
without tacit admissions or any direct action upon his 
part, the gentleman of whom we write was classed by 
the people of his section as a secessionist. 

Circumstances occurred during that year by which 
this person was brought into contact with a Federal com- 
mander in Kentucky, General Nelson. Their meeting 
and acquaintance was accidental. Mutual Union senti- 
ments begat personal sympathy and friendship. Nelson 
wished a certain service performed in the rebel territory 
and he persuaded the citizen to undertake it — which the 
latter finally did as a matter of duty, we are assured, 
rather than of gain, for he made no charge for the ser- 
vice after its speedy and successful performance. Soon 
after, a similar work was necessary ; and again was the 
citizen importuned, and he again consented, but did not 
consider himself as a professional spy. 

During this or a similar trip, and while at Chatta- 
nooga, our man heard of the sudden death of General 
Nelson. He was now at a loss what to do. Finally 
he determined to return and report his business to 
Major-General Rosecrans, who had assumed command 
of the Federal army. Thus resolved, he proceeded to 
finish his mission. After ascertaining the position of 
military affairs at Chattanooga, he came to Murfreesboro, 
where Bragg's army was then collecting. Staying here 
several days, he was urged by his Southern army friends 
to act as their spy in Kentucky. The better to conceal 



28 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

hi8 own feelings and position, he consented to do so, and 
he left General Bragg's headquarters to go to that State 
by way of Nashville, feigning important business, and 
from thence to go to his home, passing by and through 
Rosecrans' army as it lay stretched out between Nash- 
ville and Louisville. 

The nameless man now makes his way to the Federal 
Headquarters, seeks a private interview with General 
Rosecrans, and states his case fiilly as we have just re- 
lated. Here was something remarkable, surely — a spy 
in the confidence of the commanders of two great oppo- 
sing armies ! Our general took much pains to satisfy 
himself of the honesty and soundness of the stranger. 
He was pleased with the man's candid manner, and his 
story bore an air of consistency and truth. Yet, he was 
a Southerner, surrounded by rebellious influences, and 
enjoyed Bragg's confidence ; and what guarantee could 
be given that he was a Union man at heart ? None ; 
and General Rosecrans, in great perplexity, held councU 
with his Chief of Police, and requested the latter to " dig 
up " the case to its very root. This was done ; but in 
what manner we need not specially state. Satisfied that 
it would do to trust the spy, to a certain extent at least, 
he was now sent on his way to perform his mission for 
Bragg. At all events, that scheming general so sup* 
posed when our man's report was made at the rebel 
headquarters a few days afterward. His information 
was very acceptable to Bragg ; but we strongly question 
its value to rebeldom, as the spy reported only what he 
was told by that old fox Colonel TruesdaU. 

Perhaps the reader will inquire, how can we answer 
foi the report thus made to Bragg ? it may have been 



NAEBATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 29 

more true and valuable than we supposed. Well, there 
is force in the query. We are fallen upon strange tunes, 
when honesty, virtue, and patriotism are at heavy dis- 
count in rebeldom, and the Indian's idea of the unceiv 
tainty of white men is by no means a myth. However, 
we were then quite confident of the worthlessness of the 
report of our spy to Bragg, because he hxxd rmtUng eUe 
to tell hun. For five days did our spy keep himself 
locked in a private room in the police building at Nash- 
ville. His meals were carried to him by a trusty ser- 
vant. His door was " shadowed " constantly by our best 
detectives, and so were his steps if he ventured upon 
the street for a few moments after dark. It was cold 
and bleak winter weather, and he toasted himself before 
his comfortable fire, read books and papers, and conferred 
often with the Chief of Police and his assistant, afford- 
mg them, strangers as they were to that region of 
country, a fund of valuable information respecting the 
rebels of Kentucky and Tennessee. He was a man of 
fine address and good intellectual attainments. When 
our man concluded it was about time for his return to 
Bragg's army, he was politely escorted by our mounted 
police to a proper point beyond our lines, and by a route 
where he would see nothing of our forces. The reader 
will now appreciate the groimds of our confidence, we 
doubt not, in the worthlessness of at least one of Gen- 
eral Braxton Bragg's spy reports. 

In due time this nameless gentleman again enters our 
lines, and is escorted in by our pickets to the general 
commanding, to whom he reports in person concerning 
all that is transpiring in Bragg's army at Murfreesboro, 
wd then he resumes his pleasant private quarters at the 



30 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

army police building. How little could the rebel Gren- 
eral Zollicoflfer have thought, or have imagined as the 
wildest dream, while building his elegant house in High 
street, Nashville, that its gorgeous rooms should ever be 
devoted to such purposes ! After a brief stay, another 
trip was made by our man to Bragg's headquarters, we 
using the same precautions as previously. In fact, our 
spy desired and even demanded, such attention at the 
hands of the Chief of Police. Said he — 

"I am a stranger to you all. I can give you no 
guarantee whatever of my good faith. It is alike due to 
you and to myself that I be allowed no opportunities for 
deceiving you." 

The report he carried to Bragg on his second trip de- 
lighted the latter. His officers talked with our man 
freely, and after staying at JViuiiieesboro two or three 
days, and riding and walking all about in the most inno 
cent and unconcerned manner, he was again sent back 
to Nashville to " fool that slow Dutchman, Eosecrans," 
as one of the rebel officers remarked. Of the import- 
ance of the report now brought to the " slow Dutchman** 
we need not state further than that it contributed its due 
weight to a decision fraught with tremendous conse- 
quences to the army and to the country. Marching 
orders were soon after issued for the advance of the 
Army of the Cumberland upon Murfreesboro. 

Now commenced a period of excessive labor and peril 
for the nameless spy. General Rosecrans and Bragg 
each wanted instant and constant information as the 
armies approached. The minutiae of this man's work 
for four or five days we need not stop to relate it is 
easily imagined. Within that time he entered the rebel 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 31 

lines and returned three times. He gave the outline of 
Bragg's line of battle, a close estimate of his force, an 
accurate account of his artillery and his earthworks, the 
movements of the rebel wagon and railroad trains, etc., 
etc. He was very earnest in assuring Rosecrans th&t 
Bragg -jitended to give severe battle with superior 
numbers. 

This information proved true in all essentials, and its 
value to the country was inestimable. We had other 
spies piercing the rebel lines at this time, but they did 
not enjoy the facilities possessed by the nameless one. 
Almost with anguish did he exclaim against himself, in 
the presence of the author, for the severe manner in 
which he was deceiving the rebel general and involving 
the lives of his thousands of brave but deluded followers. 

After the first great battle the work of such a spy is 
ended, or, rather, it ceases when the shock of arms comes 
on. Thenceforth the armies are moved upon the instant, 
as circumstances may require. Our man, who, during 
the four days, had been almost incessantly in the saddle, 
or with his ears and eyes painfully observant while iir 
the camps, took leave of our army upon the battle field, 
and retired to a place of rest. 

One incident occurred, during his last visit to Bragg, 
which is worthy of mention. That general took alarm 
in consequence of his report, and at once started a 
special messenger to General John H. Morgan — who 
was then absent with his cavalry in Kentucky to de- 
stroy Rosecrans' railroad communications (in which 
Morgan succeeded) — to return instantly with his com- 
mand by forced marches to Murfreesboro. That same 
night ou m<m reported this fact to the Federal com- 



32 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

mander, described the messenger and what route he 
would take, etc. The information was telegraphed at 
once to Nashville, Gallatin, and Bowling Green, and a 
force was sent from each of those posts to intercept the 
messenger. They failed to apprehend him — which, 
however, proved of no consequence, as the battles of 
Stone River were fought, and Bragg was on his retreat 
firom Murfreesboro by the time Morgan could have re- 
ceived the orders. 

Our spy was a brave man : yet, during the last three 
days of his service he was most sensible of its peril. To 
pass between hostile lines in the lone hours of the night 
— ^for he did not wait for daylight — to be halted by 
guerillas and scouts and pickets, with guns aimed at 
hiift, and, finally, to meet and satisfy the anxious, keen 
eyed, heart searching rebel officers as well as our own, 
was a mental as well as physical demand that could not 
long be sustained. While proceeding upon his last ex- 
pedition, the author met the nameless one upon a by- 
road. We halted our horses, drew near, and conversed 
a few seconds in private, while our attendants and com- 
panions moved on. He was greatly exhausted and 
soiled in appearance — ^his clothing having been rained 
npon and splashed by muddy water, caused by hard 
riding, and which had dried upon him. He said he wa8 
about to try it once more, and, though he had been so 
often and so successfully, yet he feared detection and its 
sure result, the bullet or the halter. He had been 
unable, amid the hurry and excitement, to make some 
final disposition of his afiairs. He gave us a last message 
to send to his wife and children in case it became neces- 
tary ; and he also desired a promise — ^most freely given 




PORTRAITS OP SOME OF THE GENERALS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC 




,0£l^^ 



PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT UNION GENERALS. 




PORTRAITS OF SHERMAN AND SOME OF HIS COMMANDERS 




PORTRAITS OF UNION CAVALRY COMMANDERS. 




PORTKAITS OF PKOMINENT UNION GENERALS. 




PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT UNION GENERALS. 




PORTRAITS OF THE PRINCIPAL, NAVAIv COMMANDERS DURING THE WAR 



HOOKER 




PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT UNION GENERALS 




PORTRAITS OF UNION CAVALRY COMMANDEER 




POP.TEAITS OF PROMINENT UNION GENERALS. 




PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT CONFEDERATE GENERAI.S 




PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT CONFEDERATE GENERALS. 




•'-^Y.^t^i^ 



PORTRAITS OF SOME OF THE LEADERS OF THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 33 

- -tnat we would attend to the settlement of his account 
with General Rosecrans for services recently rendered. 
Thus concluding, he wrung our hand most earnestly, 
and, putting spurs to his fresh and spirited animal, 
dashed off upon his mission. Twenty hours afterward 
we were relieved of our anxious forebodings by his safe 
and successM return. We have stated the price paid 
him for his labors : it was well earned, and to our causft 
was a most profitable investment. 



The Prater of the Wicked. — During the month of 
December last, and for many weeks previous, a severe 
drought prevailed in Tennessee. The Cumberland 
river was fordable in many places, the smaller streams 
nearly dry, and in sundry localities water for stock very 
scarce. During its continuance, a Union man at Shelby- 
ville, while in attendance upon the Methodist church 
at that place, heard a prayer offered from the pulpit hy 
the officiating minister, in which occured a sentence 
somewhat as follows : — 

"0 Lord, as a nation free and independent, look 
down upon us in mercy and loving-kindness, and hold 
us within the hollow of thy hand amidst all our desola- 
tion and sorrow. Let the rays of heaven's light smile 
upon our fields, and the dews of beneficent mercy be 
shed upon our valleys. Let the rain descend to beautify 
and fructify the earth and to swell the rivers of waters ; 
but, Lord, do not raise the Cumberland sufficient ir 
bring upon us thr damnable Yankee gunboats 1" 
8 



f\ J^ARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS. AND DETECTIVES- 



CORPORAL PIKE, SCOUT AND RANGER. 

Whether we c msider the length of time during vhieh 
he was employed, or the variety and hazardous charactei 
of the service in which he was engaged, we think no ons 
of the scouts and spies employed by the commanderti 
of the Union armies has ever passed through a greater 
number of startling and perilous adventures than Cor- 
poral James Pike, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. He has 
published a narrative of his services, which is replete 
with interest. We cannot follow him in any except the 
most remarkable of these, for want of space. A native 
of Leesburg, Ohio, and a printer by profession, he pos- 
sessed in a large degree that love of adventure which is 
80 often a characteristic of Western men He gives m 
no clue tg his age ; but he must have been not more 
than five or six and twenty years old, when, in the 
winter of 1858-9, he had come to the determination, 
after working at his trade for some time at Jefferson City, 
to migrate to Kansas, where the border ruffian war was 
then raging, in search of adventures. Having been 
turned aside from this intention by the solicitation of a 
Texan adventurer, he went to Texas ; and very soon 
joined a company of Rangers, and for nearly two years 
was engaged in warfare with the Camanches and other 
of the savage Indian tribes in Northern Texas. After 
numerous hair-breadth escapes, and terrible suffering in 
the ill advised expedition against the Camanche Indians, 
prosecuted under Colonel Johnston, he returned to Waco, 
Texas, and found the community there, as elsewhere, 
<dl alive with excitement in rearard to Mr. Lincoln'^ 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 36 

election. Avowing himself a Union man, he was soon 
obliged to i\y ; though not until he had recorded himself 
as against the iniquitous ordinance of Secession. Great 
numbers of Union men were murdered at this time in 
Texas, simply for the avowal of Union sentiments ; and 
Pike, desirous of doing his country some service against 
the bloodthirsty secessionists, escaped from the State into 
Arkansas; and when he fell in with rebels, represented 
himself as the nephew of Albert Pike, a rebel general 
then in the western part of the Indian Territory. More 
than once he found himself in situations from whence 
escape seemed impossible ; but his reauy wit, before 
long, enabled him to find some way of evading the picket 
lines of the enemy : and passing through Memphis and 
Nashville — meeting his father at the latter place — he 
made his way to Portsmouth, Ohio, by midsummer of 
1861; and soon after enlisted, first in Fremont's body- 
guard, and subsequently in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry. After 
spending two months in acquiring a knowledge of cavalry 
drill. Corporal Pike and the rest of his company were 
mustered into the U. S. service at Camp Dennison, on 
the 20th of November, 1861 ; and early in the spring 
moved to Louisville, where they were assigned to General 
0. M. Mitchel's division, and soon marched toward Bowl- 
ing Green. General Mitchel was too shrewd a judge 
of character not to discern quickly Pike's qualifications 
for the secret service; and before he had been under 
him a week, he sent him, with some twenty comrades, on 
a scout toward Green River, Ky. On his return, he 
found General Mitchel's division before Bowling Green, 
and with another soldier, crossed the Big Barren river 
on a raft, with a coil of rope, to facilitate the construction 



36 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

of a pontoon bridge. The army being safely in Bowling 
Green, Corporal Pike explored the adjacent region, and 
arrested the guerillas, who, in the guise of Union soldiers, 
were plundering, burning, and destroying private and 
public property. In one of these expeditions, he waa 
told of two of these marauders named Robinson and 
Keaton, about sixteen miles distant, who were constantly 
committing depredations. He started alone to arrest 
them, but before proceeding far met two men, and soon 
after a third, whom he knew to le guerillas and seces- 
sionists; but whom he addressed as law-abiding citizens, 
telling them whom he was going to arrest, and insisted 
upon their coming with him and giving him assistance. 
They at first endeavored to excuse themselves, but as 
they were personally hostile to Robinson and Keaton, 
they finally consented to go with him, and he arrested 
the culprits, while they guarded and took charge of 
them. The Union people of the vicinity, not aware of 
the real character of Robinson and Keaton, and believing 
that this was a movement of the secessionists, followed 
in some force to Bowling Green, to demand their release ; 
but by hard riding Pike reached there first, and delivered 
up, not only the two marauders, but the three guerillas 
he had compelled to aid him in capturing them ; and 
when the Union party, who had come on to demand 
their release, arrived at the provost-marshal's, it was 
found that there were three more bushwhackers in their 
ranks, who were also arrested and sent to jail. 

General Mitchel next sent him to ascertain the loca- 
tion and strength of Morgan's band, then just beginning 
to make some disturbance in Middle Tennessee. He 
"lucceeded in having an interview with Morgan, passing 



NARRA':iVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 3V 

himself off as a Texa. ranger; ascertained the strength 
of his command, and after narrowly escaping capture 
two or three times, succeeded in reaching the Union 
lines near Nashville. 

General Mitchell, who was one of the most active and 
energetic of commanders, now determined to explore 
the roads and bridges leading to Shelby ville, preparatory 
to a movement upon that town, and sent Corporal Pike 
to perform that service — one of great difficulty and 
danger, inasmuch as it was remote from the Union 
lines, and all the roads were picketed by the Texan 
Rangers and Morgan's battalion. But danger only added 
new zest to any enterprise, and he undertook it cheer- 
fully. His encounters on this expedition were many and 
startling, but when meeting the rebels in considerable 
numbers, he passed himself off as Captain Bonham, of 
the First Louisiana Cavalry, just escaped from the Union 
lines ; and told his story so plausibly that it met with 
perfect credence. If there were but one or two, he 
trusted to his pistols and the speed of his good horse ; and 
on one occasion, meeting at night a part of Morgan's 
battalion, the audacious fellow professed to be on picket 
duty, and demanded the countersign ; but finding them 
ignorant of it, compelled them to file past, and when 
they were nearly across a rickety bridge in the vicinity, 
he put spurs to his horse and rode in an opposite 
direction. 

On the 8th of April, 1862, General Mitchell sent Pike 
to Decatur, Alabama, to get information as to the state 
of the country, and destroy the railroad bridge at that 
point if possible. Some of his adventures on this ex- 
pedition were so characteristic of the shrewdness and 



88 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

audacity of the man that we cannot do better than to 
give them in his own words. 

" Near to the town of Fayette ville, Lincoln county, 
Tennessee, night overtook me, and I left the road for 
a short distance and slept in the woods. This was Sat- 
urday night, and Sunday morning I rode into town. 
The citizens were astonished to see a single man, dressed 
in full Yankee costume — blue jacket, blue blouse, and 
blue pants — and armed with the well known Yankee 
accoutrements, venture among them. They gathered 
about me in a great crowd, and seemed to regard it as the 
freak of a madman, but on approaching me at the hotel, 
they found me entirely rational, cool, and of decent de- 
portment, and they at once changed their minds, and 
took me for one of their own men in disguise. Seeing 
it was my best plan to encourage this belief, I ordered 
my breakfast, went to the stable to see my horse fed, and 
then returned to my room at the hotel. There were 
about three hundred men gathered on the sidewalk to 
ascertain what the strange arrival meant, and to hear 
the news ; and they were watching me with eager inter- 
est. I felt that I was playing a delicate game, with my 
neck in a halter. K they had only known my true 
character, they would but too gladly have hanged me to 
the nearest tree. They asked me my name, which I 
told them ; next my regiment, and with a swaggering 
air, I said : 

" ' The Fourth Ohio Cavalry.' 

" 'What is your colonel's name ?' said one. 

" ' Colonel John Kennett,' I answered, slowly, and 
vith a dubious look. 

"■ ' What is your captain's nan e ?' inquired another. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 39 

" *Captaiii 0. P. Robie,' I told him. 

" * Where is your command ?' asked one who appeared 
to be a man of consequence. 

"^At Shelby ville.' 

"'Well,' he continued, 'if your command is there, 
what are you doing here by yourself?' 

" ' Why, sir,' I responded, ' if you want to know, I 
came to demand the surrender of this town.' 

" ' Well, well ' said the man ; ' that is too good. One 
man to take a town like this,' and they enjoyed the 
joke hugely. 

" They now began to look exceedingly wise ; and I 
heard the whisper pass from mouth to mouth, that I was 
one of Morgan's men. This declaration I heard again 
and again, as I passed through the crowd. Soon after, 
a gentleman stepped up to me and requested to exam- 
ine my gun, which I handed to him after removing the 
cap ; but I at the same time drew out my pistol, cocked 
it, and held it in my hand till my piece was returned to 
me. After a brief survey of the gun, it was delivered 
over to me with trembling hand, when T restored the 
cap and put up my pistol. 

"At this moment I was called to breakfast, and walked 
into the dining-room and sat down to the table, keep- 
ing an eye on every thing at once. I seated myself be- 
side a man of good appearance, who had on a handsome 
uniform and the three stars of a rebel colonel. Sling- 
ing my carbine across my knees, with the hammer up, 
ready for instant use, I loosed my pistols, in the scab- 
bard on one side, and a vicious bowie knife on the other, 
after which I began to appease my appetite on the good 
things before me, watching the colonel closely. He 



10 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

looked at me three different times, and then rising 
abruptly from the table, darted out into the crowd, and 
I saw no more of him. A few minutes after, I heard 
the people on the sidewalk raise a loud laugh at the ex- 
pense of some one. 

"After eating a meal — the first since I had left camp — 
I went out into the crowd again, and called for the 
mayor, saying I wanted him to surrender the town. 
Again the bystanders raised a laugh, and called for some 
one to go for the mayor, as he was not present. They 
then began to joke me about our gunboats, saying the 
Yankees would never fight unless backed by them. I 
told them that General Mitchel had dry land gunboats, 
with steel soles and spring runners, and that he had used 
them with great effect at Bowling Green. One of the 
men said : 

'^ ' K you're a Yankee, show us a Yankee trick, and 
we will believe you.' 

" ^ Gentlemen,' said I, ' I will do my best to show 
you one, before I leave this neck of timber.' 

'"Where are you going ?* said one. 

" ' Down the country,' I replied. 

" 'Look here, now,' one of the fellows pursued, ' you 
may as well own up and tell us where the captain is.' 

" ' What captain ?' I asked. 

" 'Why Captain Morgan, to be sure.' 

" ' Gentlemen,' said T, slowly, ' you have waked up 
the wrong passenger, I belong to the Fourth Ohio Cav- 
alry ;' and again the laugh rung out at my preposterous 
assertior . 

In obedience to directions, my horse was brought out, 
and it was a favorable time to leave, as they were all in 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 41 

a good humor, and I consequently mounted and took the 
road to Huntsville at a gallop. Just as I passed the 
crowd one fellow sung out : 

'' ' Hold on there, you haven't shown us that Yankee 
trick yet.' 

" * There's plenty of time,' said I, turning in my saddle 
to watch their movements, ' before I leave this section 
of the country.' 

" About five miles from Fayetteville is a very noted 
highland called Wells' Hill, and on the top of it there is 
a fork in the road, the left going directly south lo Hunts- 
ville, and the right to Athens and Decatur. On reach- 
ing this road, I was in the act of turning into it, when 
I looked across on still another road, called the Meridian 
road, and discovered a train of wagons coming slowly up 
the hill. I watched it till I saw there was no guard 
near, and then riding around till I met the first wagon, 
I caused it to be drawn close along against the fence, 
and there stopped ; then the next two to be drawn close 
alongside, thus making an effectual barricade against 
any force which was approaching from that direction. 
Next I seized the wagon master, who was some distance 
in the rear of the train, and shoved him and the drivers 
up into the fence corner, making one of them turn the 
mules loose from the wagons. The loads were covered 
with com blades and other forage, so one could not see 
them, but the drivers told me that the wagons were 
loaded with bacon. 

"After arranging things to my satisfaction, I produced 
a bunch of matches, and fired the fodder on the top of 
each of the wagci s, which were of the old-fashioned 



42 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

curved bodies, Conestoga pattern, each of which had on 
it lour thousand pounds of bacon. 

" The guns of the party all happened to be in the 
wagons, and none of them had any side arms, except 
the wagon master, who had something under his coat 
that looked like a pistol ; and as he wore a belt, it Ls 
very probable he had one ; and some of the citizens, I 
know had, for I saw three or four of them ; but I was 
ready to shoot before they could recover from their sur- 
prise, so that it would have been foolhardy for them to 
resist, as I would certainly have killed the first man 
who made a motion to draw a weapon. I made no 
attempt to take their side arms, as I did not want to 
lose my advantage over them for an instant. There 
were three good guns burned up in the wagons, one a 
double barrelled shot gun, and two old muskets. 

'' When the flames shot up, several citizens came to the 
scene of action, but I thrust them into the fence corner, 
along with the wagon master and teamsters. As soon 
as the wagons were so far destroyed that they began to 
fall down, and I saw that it would be impossible to save 
any thing of the wreck, I made the drivers mount the 
mules, and the wagon master his horse, and taking them 
on the road to Fayetteville, I told them that I was going 
to count one hundred ; and that if, by that time, they 
were not out of sight, I would shoot the last one of them 
within range. I then began to count; 'one,' 'two,' 
' three,' etc., very deliberately, while they put spurs to 
their steeds, and in a brief time they were beyond m} 
ken, over the hills, toward Fayetteville, to give the in- 
habitants an account of my Yankee trick. 

" Wheeling my horse, I put out once more for Decatur, 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 43 

but at the same time inquiring my way to Athens, as if 
I intended to go there. As I passed the burning wagons 
again, I told the citizens standing around, that if the;y 
did not leave instanter, I would shoot the last one of 
them, and they scattered like blackbirds. 

'^ About ten miles farther down the road, I heard the 
deep, sonorous tones of a preacher, belaboring a sinful 
congregation. He was evidently a devout believer in a 
terrible and endless punishment for the wicked, for he 
was holding out to his audience the fearful picture of a 
lost sinner in hell ; making a comparison between his 
condition and that of Dives, who, he asserted, was once 
in a similar state of sinfulness while on earth, and who 
eventually brought up in hell, and from whence he ex- 
pressed a strong desire to visit Abraham in his new 
abode ; adding that the wishes of the unfortunate Dives 
could not be complied with for some geographical cause 
— something in the topography of the country — a gulf 
in the way, I believe. Over this subject he grew 
eloquent, and had probably got about to his ' thirdly,' and 
the congregation were almost breathless with attention, 
when it occurred to me that there might be soldiers in the 
church, and I had better look after them ; otherwise 
they might give me some trouble. Riding up to the 
door, I made my horse enter about half way, so that I 
could see every man in the house. As his feet struck 
the floor of the church, with a loud, banging sound, the 
people were astonished to see a soldier, under arms, riding 
boldly in among them. Turning to the preacher, 1 
inquired if there were any southern soldiers in the house. 
The clergyman was standing with his hand raised, as he 
was about to enforce some point he bad made, being the 



a NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

very picture of earnest honesty, looking as if he believed 
every word that he had said. When he saw me, his 
hand dropped, and he seemed as badly frightened as if 
the identical devil he had so vividly described had 
appeared before him. He was almost overpowered with 
fright, and supporting himself by the rough pulpit, he 
glanced at the back door, and then faltered out : ' Not 
now, I believe, sir.' I saw that there had been rebel 
Boldiers there, and that they had escaped in the direction 
of his glance ; I instantly pulled my horse back, and 
spurred to the corner of the log church, just in time to 
see four men disappear in the brush across a field which 
lay back of the building. They were too far off for me 
to shoot at, and not desiring to disturb the worship 
further than the strictest military necessity demanded, 
I rode on, after desiring the clergyman to pray for the 
President of the United States. The rebel papers had 
an account of the affair, but they lied when they stated 
that I tried to make the preacher take a drink of whiskey ; 
for I hadn't a drop to bless myself with. 

'* Pretty soon I met two soldiers riding leisurely along 
to church. I halted them, demanded their names, regi- 
ments, and companies, and informed them that they 
were prisoners of war ; that I was a federal soldier, but 
that there was no way for me to dispose of them so far 
from our lines except one ; I was sorry it was so — but I 
must shoot them. They begged I would spare their 
lives, and pledged their honor that they would go with 
me in good faith, if I would not kill them. I pretended 
to be in a deep study for a few moments, and then told 
them if they would take the oath of allegiance to the 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 46 

(Jnited States I would let them goj and to this they 
agreed eagerly. 

" Holding up my right hand, and removing my cap, 
they imitated my example, uncovered their heads, raised 
their hands, and with a solemn look, that would well 
become a court room, waited for me to administer ^ the 
oath.' I had joked them far enough, however, and not 
wishing to be guilty of blasphemy by administering an 
obligation I had no authority to require of them, I told 
them that I would rely upon their honor, but they must 
do nothing toward pursuing me, or giving information 
concerning my whereabouts ; and I then told them to 
^ go in peace.' 

" The next man I met was an old citizen, riding d very 
spirited horse, and dressed in a suit of butternut-colored 
homespun. Tall, thin featured, and gaunt, he was the 
very picture of a secesh planter. I stopped him, and 
inquired the way to Camargo ; he pointed to the road 
he had just left, and told me to follow that. I now told 
him I was a confederate officer, and that I had orders 
from General Beauregard to gather up all the straggler? 
I could find, and bring them forthwith to Corinth ; that 
we were expecting a great battle there with our * detesta 
ble foe,' the Yankees, and that it was absolutely 
necessary for every one to be at his post. 

" * You will,' said I, ' do me a favor and your country 
good service by giving me the names of all soldiers who 
are at home without leave in your neighborhood.' 

" 'Certainly, sir/ he replied ; ' I will do so with plea- 
sure ; and if I had time,' he added, * 1 would go with 
you, and help to find them.' 

" I then drew out a note-book, and wrote down each 



46 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

name he gave me, with the company and regiment ol 
each man, together with his residence ; and then asked 
him to refer me to some responsible citizens, who would 
give assistance if necessary. He gave me the names of 
half a dozen, who, he said, would not only assist me, 
but would give the names of other delinquents. 

" He now prepared to ask me a few questions, and pre- 
face them with the statement that he was the 'Chief 
Justice, of Lincoln county, and that he was on his way 
to Fayetteville to open court on Monday morning. 

" ' Are there many cases to be disposed of?' I asked. 

" ' Yes, a good many,' he said. 

"'What is their nature generally ?* was my next 
inquiry. 

" ' Why, they are mostly political,' said he. 

*' I was at no loss to know what the phrase meant ; the 
accused were Union men, who, true to their principles, 
had refused to yield to the demands of the secessionists, 
but chose persecution rather than dishonor. I then 
concluded to have a little fun out of the old fellow, and 
render the persecuted loyalists what assistance I could. 
But as I did not desire to kill him in cold blood, I con- 
cluded to frighten him a little by way of punishment. 
Pointing to the dense column of smoke that was rising 
from the burning bacon, I said, roughly : 

'' ' Look there, old man.* 

a i Why, what in the name of God does that mean?' 
inquired he, raising his eyes in utter astonishment. 

" ' Why, sir,' I responded, ' it means that I am a 
United States soldier, and I have just burned a rebel 
train up there, and am now about to dispose of the 
Chief Justice of Lincoln county' — at the same moment 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 41 

raifiing the hammer of my gun, and drawing a bead on 
kim. 

" * Great God ! don't kJl me, sir,' he piteously pleaded; 
'don't kill me.' 

" ' Look here, old man,' said I, savagely, * if I let you 
life, do you think you will trouble Union men in this 
county again ?' 

" * 0, no, no, I will not.' 

" * Won't bring 'em to trial ?' I asked. 

" * No, indeed, I will not,' he solemnly asserted ; ' 1 
have been compelled to enforce the law,' he then began 
in extenuation, when I interrupted him with, 

'' ' Don't talk to me about enforcing the laws, you old 
reprobate, or I will kill you in your tracks. Now, see 
here,' I continued, ' I will give you a chance for your life. 
This is a level road, and a straight one ; now, I will 
count one hundred and fifty, and if you are not out of 
sight in that time, I shall kill you, just as sure as God 
made little apples.' 

" I gave the word, and began to count, and he darted 
off, like an arrow, and was soon lost to my view in a 
cloud of dust. 

" Again taking the Athens road, I pushed on rapidly 
for some time till I passed several houses, and then, 
reaching a shallow creek, leading into the woods, I 
turned down it, so that the place where I left the road 
could not be found. I traveled up by-ways till near 
sunset, when I met with an old man, who had just 
crossed the Athens road, and he told me that he had 
seen twelve of Young's Tennessee Cavalry and fifteen 
mounted citizens after a man * who had been raising a 
disturbaaice up the country.' He said that I answered 



ib NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

the description exactly, and that he believed I w&s thi 
•nan. 

" ' You had better hide somewhere till after dark,' he 
advised me ; ' for they are alarming the whole country 
wherever they go.' 

" I saw that he was a Union man, so that I told him 
that if I kept on riding they could better see and hear 
me, and perhaps it would give them a chance to bush- 
whack me. I then told him I wanted to find a seques- 
tered spot, where I could leave my horse, and have him 
taken care of till I could get him again ; and he told me 
of a very good Union man, who lived down in the 
woods, away from any public road, and advised me to 
leave my horse there ; and he gave me such directions 
as would enable me to find the place, which I reached 
in safety. 

" Leaving my horse, I took to the woods on foot, mak- 
ing direct for Decatur, taking the sun for my guide. 
The second night overtook me in the woods very near 
Madison depot, on the railroad between Huntsville and 
Decatur. I had tried to travel in the night, but was 
overtaken by a terrible storm, and the darkness was so 
great that I could not find my way. Being very tired, 
I slept soundly, with no other bed than the groimd, and 
no cover but my rubber Talma." 

Soaked with the rain and famished with hunger, he 
made his way, in the early morning, toward the railroad, 
and followed it till about ten o'clock, when near Miner- 
ville he found the residence of a Union man, and ob- 
tained a meal, his host and himself being mutually sus- 
picious of each other and both acting a part. Here he 
met some rebel cavalry soldiers, and passing himself 



NA.RRATIYES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 49 

oflf as a Texan ranger ascertained what were the defen- 
ces of the railroad bridge he was sent to inspect, After 
they were gone, he pursued his journey, seeking the op- 
portunity of reaching and firing the brido^e. but falling 
in with the camp of the (rebel) Second Tennessee Cav- 
alry, and though their suspicions were not aroused as to 
his character, they insisted on fraternizing with him to 
Buch an extent that he had great difficulty in shaking 
them off, and was finally obliged to use threats, which, 
while they had the effect of driving his pertuiacious 
triends away, rendered his own escape a matter of ne- 
cessity. In attempting this, he got into a swamp, and 
endeavored to fiad his way through it to the river, and 
stealing a boat float down under the bridge and fire it. 
Failing in this, and knowing that there was no time to 
be lost, he turned his course and moved northward 
across the country to find the Union army. Travelling 
all day and until late at night, he was at length startled 
by the deep-mouthed baying, first, of a smgle blood- 
hound, and then soon after of several, and reahzed at 
once that the pursuers with their bloodhounds were on 
his track. Turning into a dense body of timber neai 
by, he soon found a stream of water about waist deep, 
into which he plunged, and having crossed and broken 
their trail by so doing, he plunged into another swamp, 
where he kept on for an hour, the water being still 
nearly to his waist. Finding at length a pile of new 
rails rising a little above the water he clambered upon 
them and was soon asleep, though he could yet hear the 
distant baying of the hounds. In the morning, be- 
numbed, and almost perishing with cold and hunger, he 
agam waded the swamp for half an hour, till he came tc 
4 



50 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

the rear of a plantation, and attracting the attention of 
an aged negro, who, on finding that he was a Yankee 
soldier, brought him food, procured him a guide, and 
cheered him on his way. After some farther adventures, 
in which he confiscated a fine rebel horse and buggy 
and brought the driver, a stalwart negro, into the Union 
lines, he reached General Mitchel's headquarters at 
Huntsville, Alabama. Immediately on his return, he 
was sent with despatches to General Buell, at Corinth. 
Though very weary from his previous adventures, he 
set out immediately, and riding a powerful, thorough- 
bred horse at the top of his speed to Fayetteville, thirty- 
six railerf distant, which he made in three hours, he pro- 
cured another horse there, and continued his journey at 
the same rapid rate, but near Columbia, he was so much 
exhausted that he fell from his horse insensible, and lay 
an hour, unconscious, on the ground, but recovering his 
senses, he mounted his horse again and delivered his de- 
spatches at Columbia, from whence General Negley tele- 
sjraphed them to General Buell. On his return, a negro 
hailed him and informed him that his master and eight 
other men were in ambush a little farther on, at a 
small mill, and intended to kill him. Thanking the ne- 
gro for the information, he rode rapidly to the mill, and 
as the miller ran in when he saw him coming, he called 
him out and charged him with his murderous intention. 
He, at first denied it, but being told that it was of no 
use, and that if he did not own up the whole affair he 
(Pike) would bring a party of cavalry from Columbia 
and bum the mill, his house and barn, and carry off all 
his property, he finally confessed who were his confed- 
erates and what had been their plans. Taking dowB 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 51 

their names, and lecturing the old man severely. Cor- 
poral Pike rode away. He soon overtook a comrade 
from his own regiment, and feeling ill, stopped with hia 
friend and another Union soldier at the house of a citi- 
zen, near Meridian, to pass the night. Here an attempt 
was made during the night to assassinate him, but being 
awake and seeing one of the assassins raise and aim his 
gun at him through the window, he fired his pistol, and 
wounded the assassin, probably mortally. His comrades 
carried him off, and Pike was not again disturbed. The 
next morning he reached Huntsville. 

General Mitchel immediately sent him to ascertain 
the rebel force at Bridgeport, Tennessee. He reached 
*he vicinity without any notable adventure, ascertained 
the number and position of the rebel troops, made his 
report and sent it by a Union officer who had escorted 
him nearly to Bridgeport, told the officer he would re- 
main in the mountains till the Union army came to take 
Bridgeport. Here, after some adventure, escaping once 
from the rebel pickets only by shooting the sergeant, and 
running the gauntlet of the fire of the squad ; he, was 
taken prisoner, partly in consequence of his own care- 
lessness. He was taken first to Bridgeport, and thence 
to Chattanooga, where he was confined in the jail, where 
were, at that time, in the dungeon twenty-one men from 
the Second, the Twenty-first, and the Thirty-third Ohio 
regiments, whose adventures are related elsewhere in this 
work.* After considerable suffering here. Corporal Pike 
was remDved o Knoxville to another jail, where he wa* 
confined in an iron cage. Here he was told that he wsl» 

* See "Thk Ghkat Railroad Ihabk." Part II. 



02 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

to be tried as a spy and would undoubtedly be hung. 
From Knoxville, he was sent to Mobile, and eight 
days later, removed to Tuscaloosa, and thence to Mont- 
gomery, Alabama, where he was taken very sick 
with pneumonia and typhoid fever, and was trea,ted 
with great inhumanity, all medicine being refused him, 
and he being left for twelve days lying upon the deck 
of the boat, without a bed and with nothing but corn 
nread and spoiled old salt junk for food. From Mont- 
gomery he was sent to Macon, Georgia. Here, weak as 
he was, he attempted to escape, but was recaptured six 
days later, being run down with bloodhounds. Alout 
the 1st of October, 1862, he was sent with numeious 
other prisoners by way of Savannah, Augusta, Colum oia, 
Raleigh, Petersburg, and Richmond, for exchange. They 
all suffered fearfully on the route, and many died. On 
the 18th of October, they were exchanged, and foor 
Pike, reduced to a skeleton, and almost in a dying state, 
was taken to the Cliffbum hospital at Washing ion. 
Here, for some months, he lay almost hopelessly ill, out 
in March, 1863, had recovered sufficiently to join ftis 
regiment. 

Here he was soon again at his old work. Riding i»ut 
one day some distance beyond the lines with a l'<;u- 
tenant of his company, they met an old negro preacher, 
who told them that there was a large body of rebel 
soldiers not far off. Corporal Pike requested the lieu- 
tenant to return to Murfreesboro while he went to see 
where the rebels were. After some scouting he dis- 
covered them, about one hundred and fifty in number, at 
the foot of a considerable hill ; his position being above 
^hem, and two of their nen, one mounted and the other 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 53 

on foot, being near him, he approached and ordered them 
to halt, and as they fled repeated the order and fired, 
mortally wounding the mounted one, and then reloading, 
fired at the one on foot, whom he also wounded severely, 
and then in a loud voice called out "Forward the Fourth ! 
Forward the Fourth Ohio !" Hearing the name of that 
regiment, which was a terror to the rebels in all that 
region, the whole rebel troop took to their horses and 
fled at the top of their speed (abandoning, as he after- 
ward learned, a large forage train) toward Auburn, 
seven miles distant. After seeing them well started 
Pike rode ofi" toward Murfreesboro. Stopping at a house 
which they had passed, he told the woman to tell them, 
when they returned, that there was but one man in the 
attacking party, and that he said he had flogged one 
hundred and fifty of them and could do it again. 

He next explored the rebel position at Woodbury, 
Tennessee, dodging and frightening the rebel pickets by 
some sharp practice, and on his return accompanied 
General Stanley in his raid on the rebel camps near 
Middleton, Tennessee, and while acting as aide to 
Colonel (acting Brigadier-General) Long, had some very 
narrow escapes, being at one time for a considerable 
period under the steady and continuous fire of a squad 
of rebel soldiers. 

Startmg soon after on a scouting expedition in the 
vicinity of Harpeth Shoals, he found himself among a 
band of guerillas, with whom he passed himself off as 
a Texan ranger, and learned from one of them the pur- 
poses of the rebel officers, and especially their intention 
of arresting and sending South a Union lady, the wife 
of a brave Union iffic«!r, then in that vicinity. Pro- 



54 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

fessing an intention of going to the rebel camp, he ascer 
tained the truth of the information he had received, 
and then riding to the house of the imperiled Union 
lady, he informed her of her danger, caught her a horse, 
and accompanied her to Nashville, avoiding by meane 
of by-roads the rebel pickets. 

The forward movement of Rosecrans' army on Chat- 
tanooga had now commenced, and Corporal Pike was 
sent by General Stanley as a scout to search for some 
steamboats on the Hiawassee. While on this expedition 
he passed through the region where- he was captured 
the year before, and after frightening relatives of the 
man who had betrayed him, he went up to the summit 
of Cumberland mountain, and near Cowan, in a narrow 
and crooked pass of the mountain, discovered that the 
rebels were blockading the gap, with the intention of 
cutting ofiP and destroying any Union troops who might 
pass that way. They had felled some timber, but had 
not put much of it in position. There were about 
twenty rebel soldiers, who were guarding the gap and 
directing a force of fifty or more negroes who were 
felling the trees. Finding his position a safe one. Pike 
determined to put a stop to this proceeding, and accord- 
ingly fired at the evident leader of the movement, and 
the bullet striking his horse he was thrown and severely 
injured, and the whole band of rebels were thrown intc 
confusion ; firing again. Pike ordered an imaginary com- 
ra<le tc run back and tell the regiment to hurry up, and 
then turning sent another shot whizzing among them, 
while he ordered a pretended body of skirmishers to 
.x)me down from the opposite ridge and close in with 
♦;he rebels, accompanymg this order with such gesture? 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, ANI> DETECTIVES. 55 

as to lead the rebels, who could see him, to believe that 
he was pointing them out to his friends. Firing again, 
he shouted " hurrah, boys, we'll surround them !" and 
the rebels fled in the greatest terror, the negroes shuf 
fling along after them. As soon as they were gone he 
crossed the pass to the opposite ridge, and followed the 
top of the ridge the remainder of that day and Dight, 
and till nine o'clock the following morning, when he 
was startled by hearing the sound of horses' feet behind 
him, stopping a moment and listening, he ascertained 
that there were about a dozen of them. He attempted 
to elude their observation by running out upon a spur 
which branched oflf from the main mountain, but the 
timber was open and they caught sight of him and im- 
mediately pursued. The mountain was steep, but they 
gained upon him, and although at first he seemed likely 
to escape, he soon came to the top of a clifi" about three 
hundred feet high ; turning to the right a few hundred 
yards, he again found a place where he could descend for 
some distance, but was then stopped by another cliff, 
which projected out like a shelf. Below the right-hand 
end of this cliffy a huge hickory tree was growing, and 
its shaggy top just reared itself above the shelf on which 
he stood, the trunk being about eight feet from the edge 
of the cliff. There was no time to lose, for already he could 
hear his pursuers clattering over the rocks above him ; so 
running to the edge of the cliff and looking over the giddy 
height, he slung his rifle across his back and leaping out 
headforemost, with all his strength, succeeded in grasp- 
ing the body of the tree with his arms and holding, 
although the weight of his accoutrements almost jerked 
aim off. Sli('uig rapidly down the tree he landed on 



66 NAKBATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AUD DETECTIVES. 

another bench of the mountain, from which, though with 
torn clothing and his hands, arms, and breast bleeding 
profusely from wounds received from the rough bark of 
the tree, he made his way down into the bottom of a 
deep ravine, and neither saw nor heard any thing more 
of his pursuers. Following the ravine to the base of the 
mountain he was an involuntary witness to the patriotic 
devotion of a loyal Tennessee family, the husband and 
father of which had been obliged to conceal himself for 
months to escape the rebel conscription, and his devoted 
wife had brought him food until such time as he could 
join the Union army. 

Continuing his search for the steamboats, he came 
upon the home of "Bob White," on Walden Ridge. 
White was a thorough Unionist and the leader of a 
body of thirty to sixty Union Tennesseans, bush 
wackers, who were the terror of the rebel cavalry in 
that region. He was welcomed by White's family and 
remained with them one night, though the rebel cavalry 
came to the house in search of him, and White's men 
also called him up, fearing he might be a spy. After 
stirring up the rebels at one or two points, and again 
finding shelter for two or three nights among the perse- 
cuted East Tennessee Unionists, attending one of their 
religious meetings where every man was armed, and the 
services were conducted, like those of the Covenanters 
three hundred years ago, after night and in the conceal- 
ment of the forest, lest their enemies should come 
upon them. 

In the battle of Chickamauga, as well as in tie 
marches and skirmishes which preceded it, Corpoia/ 
Pike was actively employed as a scout, and was much 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES 57 

of the time in imminent peril, while he rendered excel- 
lent service to the Union army. Leaving the Union 
army at Chattanooga, he next set out with General 
Crook's cavalry in pursuit of Wheeler's rebel cavalry, 
which had been attempting to break up the Union lines 
of communication with Nashville, where he had his share 
In some of the most desperate cavalry fighting of the 
war, being on two occasions the target of the enemy's 
rifles, and once of their artillery. Having arrived at 
Brownsboro, General Crook sent him with an important 
despatch from General Grant to General Sherman, 
whose location was not definitely known, though he was 
supposed to be not far from Corinth. The journey was 
a p 3rilou8 one and the chances of success, to say the 
least, small ; but the brave fellow did not hesitate for a 
moment, and taking a canoe at Whitesburg, opposite 
Huntsville, he descended the Tennessee river for more 
than a hundred miles, every mile of which was picketed 
by the enemy, ran the perilous rapids of the Muscle 
Shoals, forty miles in length, alone, and after being pur- 
sued and fired at by the rebels repeatedly landed near Tus 
cumbia, where he found Union troops, and was sent by 
special train to luka, where General Sherman was, but 
immediately on delivering the despatch he sunk down 
exhausted and fainting from intense fatigue. General 
Sherman, who is ever chary of his praise, so fully ap- 
preciated the daring and skill of this achievement, that 
he gave the corporal a testimonial in which he spoke of 
him in the highest terms. Returning to Chattanooga, he 
took part in the great battles of November 23-25. 

In a subsequent scouting expedition at the beginning 
of 1864, they found that 9 certain rebel. Colonel W. C. 



68 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCJOUTS, AND DETECTIVES 

Walker, who had commanded a brigade at Cumberland 
Gap, had returned to his home in Cherokee county, N. 
C, with plenary conscripting powers, and was endeavor- 
ing to force every Union man in the region into the 
rebel army, committing, at the same time, great out- 
rages on the families of the Unionists. Pike and his 
companions resolved to take this villain prisoner and 
convey him to Chattanooga. Pike's party consisted of 
ten scouts and a few citizens, and on New Year's night 
they went to Walker's house, surrounded it, and called 
on him to surrender. He demanded who they were, 
and being told that they were Yankee soldiers, and that 
if he gave himself up he should be treated like a gentle- 
man, and be regarded as a prisoner of war, he refused 
with an oath ; and Pike then informed him that resist • 
ance would be useless, that his house was surrounded, 
and that they would take him, dead or alive. He 
answered, '* I will surrender when I please." Pike and 
~is scouts, knowing that he had a body-guard constantly 
about him, now resolved to storm the house, and broke 
in the doors, front and rear. Walker retreated to au 
inner room, and still refused to surrender, making a 
stand with the evident intention of selling his life aa 
dearly as possible. ' The doors of this room also having 
been broken in. Pike aimed at him with his pistol, again 
demanding his surrender ; but he raised his Sharp's car- 
bine to shoot Pike. Seeing, however, that the latter 
had the advantage of him, he replied, after a moment's 
hesitation, " Yes, boys, I'll surrender," and partly turned 
to lay his carbine on the bed, when his wife caught Pike's 
arm, and with a sudden jerk destroyed his aim. Walker 
aow wheeled instantly , caught up his gun, and again 



LIVES OF SPIES. SCX)UTS, AND DETECTIVES. 59 

raised it to shoot Pike, but delayed for an instant, his 
daughter being between them, and Pike called to his 
men to shoot, as he saw Walker was determined to kill 
him, and Jack Cook, of the 37th Indiana, fired, and 
killed him instantly. By this time. Walker's body- 
guard were heard in another part of the house, and the 
daring scouts instantly attacked and captured them, 
without firing a shot, and took them all but two to 
Charleston, Tenn. After some months spent in scout- 
ing, and the destruction of rebel property, under the 
direction of General Custer, Colonel Miller, and General 
Logan, Pike and a brother scout, Charles A. Gray, were 
sent by direction of General Thomas to Augusta, Ga., 
to endeavor to destroy the great bridge over the Savan- 
nah river, and, if possible, also the immense powder- 
mill which supplied most of the powder for the rebel 
armies. Having obtained their outfit at Nashville, they 
set out on their perilous undertaking, going by way ol 
Chattanooga and Rocky Faced Ridge. The great cam- 
paigns of Sherman and Grant had now commenced, and 
it was of the greatest importance to prevent the two 
rebel generals Johnston and Lee from sending troops 
or supplies to each other. The destruction of the rail 
road bridge at Augusta would materially derange theii 
communications, and once destroyed, it could not be 
repaired for months. Having taken part in the battle 
of Rocky Faced Ridge, the two scouts proceeded thenoe 
to the Charleston turnpike, and thence went on foot, over 
the region which Pike had traversed the preceding win- 
ter, and where Colonel Walker had been killed, and 
found the rebels still in terror over that event ; scaled 
the B^ le Ridge on the 20 h of May, and descending He 



(JO NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCXDUTS, ANB DETECTIVES. 

eastern slope, came to the head waters of the Tallulah 
river, remarkable for its numerous cataracts. They 
followed this stream to its junction with the Chattooga, 
the two forming the Tugalo, one of the two affluents ol 
the Savannah river. Procuring a canoe, they floated 
down this stream, which had numerous rapids, and 
thence entered the Savannah, which above Augusta is 
a very rapid and rocky stream. They reached Ham- 
burg, opposite Augusta, on the 3d of June, 1864, and 
concealed themselves where they could overlook both 
cities ; but to their surprise and annoyance, they found 
that there were great numbers of Union prisoners there 
(twelve or fifteen hundred), on their way to Anderson- 
vill3, and a large body of rebel troops guarding them, 
and that it would be utterly impossible for them to 
make any effort to accomplish their object, and nearly 
so to make their escape. The latter was all they could 
attempt, and during the night they got off and attempted 
to retrace their steps. They stole a couple of horses and 
rode them rapidly till morning, but were then overtaken 
and compelled to give up the horses, though their real 
character and objects were not suspected. Starting off, 
then, on foot, they made the best of their way toward the 
northwest, but two hours later they heard the baying 
of the bloodhounds, and knew that they were pursued. 
They made every effort to break the trail, passing 
through swamps and streams, doubling in their tracks, 
etc., etc., but all to no purpose. 

The pack of hounds was thirty-six in number, and 
just after nightfall their loud baying showed that they 
were close upon them; and in the midst of a dense 
thicket, the two men were compelled to stand at bay 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVE& 61 

and fight with the savage brutes, and the equally savage 
men who had used the dogs to hunt them down. On 
came the hounds through the thick undergrowth, making 
the deep forest echo with their savage baying, until, witk 
a sudden bound, the leading dog was upon the fugitives, 
his eyes glaring, and his mouth foaming. For an instant 
he paused, as he saw them through the gloom, and the 
next he made a spring directly at Gray's face. He was 
large and snow-white, and this made him the better 
target, and as he sprang Pike turned upon him and 
fired, and he fell dead in an instant But at that mo- 
ment the whole pack rushed upon them, and they could 
only distinguish them by their glaring eyes in the dark- 
ness, but they aimed at those, and killed one moie and 
wounded four others, with nine shots, when the men 
came up, forcing their horses through the brush, cursing 
and swearing like madmen. When they had approa< hed 
within about a hundred yards, the two scouts ordi red 
them to halt, saying, that if they did not stop, tney 
would fire on them. 

" Who are you ?" demanded one of the men. 

" Yankee soldiers," answered Pike. 

" What are you doing in our country ?" 

" We are here by order of our general." 

" How many are there of you ?" 

" Two." 

"Are you up a tree ?" 

"No ! we are not the sort of men to take to trees !" 

Then moving toward them. Pike said : " There are 
but two of us, but we are well armed, and can do you n 
great deal of damage if you drive us to it. We know 
that you h wf a strong force after us, for we have seen 



62 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

you two or three times to-day ; we know that resistance 
on our part would only result in useless bloodshed ; still 
it is our privilege to sell our lives at as dear a price as 
we can make you pay ; but we don't want to hurt you, 
nor do we want you to hurt us ; and therefore, if you 
will agree to treat us as prisoners of war, we will surren- 
der without a fight, because we see that one would be 
useless." 

" You will soon be made to surrender on our terms," 
replied the rebels. 

" Then approach us at your peril," answered Pike, 
" for we shall shoot as long as we can crook a finger." 

Resolute as this reply was, they were in fact helpless; 
their ammunition exhausted, and the four or five charges 
in their pistols had all been tried on the dogs, but had 
failed to go off* from the foulness of the weapons. 

While this parley had been going on, another large 
party had come up, and the two were disputing among 
themselves. Presently they hailed the two scouts plea- 
santly, " Halloo, Yank." " Halloo yourself," was the 
answer. " K you will surrender, we will treat you as 
prisoners of war, and there shall not one hair of your 
head be touched/' said the commander of the party. 
" All right," answered the scouts, " on these conditions, 
and no others, you can have our arms. Let two men 
3ome over and take our weapons," they asked. The 
rebels consented, but demanded that they should fire 
them in the air first. The scouts could not do this, be- 
;ause the attempt would show how helpless they were, 
out they objected on the ground that it evinced a lack 
of confidence in their honor. The rebel commander 
then ordered them to stand still and they would come 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 63 

to chem. They did so, and when completely surrounded, 
gave up their arms, Gray joking with them freely. No 
sooner were the arms delivered, than a part of the 
rebels changed their manner, and began to abuse them, 
a man by the name of Chamberlain, a renegade from 
Massachusetts, who it seemed owned the bloodhounds, 
swearing that if they had shot one of the dogs ne would 
Kill them. They now set out on their return toward 
Augusta, or rather toward Edgefield, S. C, and stopped 
at the house of a Mr. Series, who treated them kmdly, 
and endeavored to pacify the drunken crowd who were 
taking them along, as did his wife ; but his two daugh- 
ters went among the gang, and begged them to hang 
the two Yankees. "Don't let them live, men! don't 
let them live !" they said, and by their urgency they 
had soon " fired the Southern heart" up nearly to the 
point of murder. Mr. Series exerted himself to the 
utmost, however, to quiet them, and they finally were 
allowed their supper, and moved ojQf to the house of 
Lieut. Col. Talbot, one of their captors. Here they 
were allowed an hour or two sleep, and on awakening 
in the morning, found that the party who had captured 
them had all left, and that they were in the hands of 
party of drunken militia, who did not regard themselves 
as bound in any respect by the stipulations of their cap- 
tors These brutes roused them up, tied them very 
securely, and then marched them to the woods near by, 
and made preparations to hang them. They began with 
Pike, and having their rope ready, asked him if he had 
any confession to make? 

"No," was his reply ' T have nothing to confess t«.> 
you 



54 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. 

" Do you desire to pray ?" they asked. 

" No," was his reply again. " I am ready to die, and 
don't fear death." 

" Have you nothing to say ?" they asked, astonished 
at his coolness. 

" Yes," he replied, " I have something to say that may 
interest you." 

" Out with it then," said one. 

He then told them very coolly that they were United 
States soldiers, acting in the discharge of their duties, 
and that they, as citizens, had no right to interrupt them; 
that the general under whose orders they (the scouts> 
were acting would retaliate promptly if a hair of theii 
heads were injured, and their sons in the Confederate 
army might be the men on whom the retaliation would 
fall. He told them farther, that he and Gray belonged 
to different regiments, and that if they were hung, their 
regiments, which were sure to come thither, would 
bum every dollar's worth of property they possessed, 
and hang every man concerned in the transaction. " If," 
he continued, " you are prepared to abide these conse- 
quences, I am." 

The ringleaders now withdrew for a short time, for 
consultation, leaving the two scouts under a guard. 
After a little they returned, took them back to Talbot's 
house, and untied them, and Mrs. Talbot gave them 
a bountiful breakfast. Talbot himself was a villain; 
he had attempted the preceding night to murder 
them, after giving his pledge that not a hair of their 
heads should be touched, and had only failed because 
his gun would not go o^. He and Chamberlain now 
promised to take them to Edgefield, and as they had 







^pl 




^i« 








Hj^^i 






L^ik^ 




^K-^ 




mm:F 




-«V-.:i.a«?lB-«fe*^^8aiB*iSg«S:«fcT 



---"m:^i 






■i>^^g3fca«M«»^ 




NARRATITES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 66 

been forewarned that a crowd had assembled on the 
lower road to murder them, they asked to be taken by 
the upper route, and their captors finally consented. 
Arriving at Edgefield, the provost-marshal, who desired 
to have them murdered by a mob, refused to receive 
them from the militia, but a rebel lieutenant who was 
there, overruled him and ordered them to be put in the 
jail, subject to the orders of the military authorities at 
Augusta. Here, they were examined very closely, and 
questioned carefully, separately ; but as they had buried 
all their bridge-burning fixtures before leaving Hamburg, 
and had agreed upon the statements they were to make, 
there was no such thing as entangling them. On the 
9th of June, they were taken to Augusta. Here, they 
were confined on the smallest possible allowance of food, 
for fifty-seven days, when they were removed under a 
strong guard to Charleston, where they were put in the 
tower of the jail and kept five months under fire from 
the Union batteries. Vigorous efforts were made to pr^r 
cure their exchange, by the highest officers of the Union 
army, but in vain. When General Sherman's march 
through the Carolinas compelled the evacuation of 
Charleston, they were removed to Columbia, and when 
that was threatened, they were sent to Winnsboro on 
foot, with the intention of taking them to Salisbury, 
North Carolina, but on the way both escaped, Gray 
getting away first, and Pike the next night, February 
18th, 1865, and after wandering about for two days, the 
latter found his way into the Union lines, where Gray 
had preceded him. 

He was most cordially received and fitted out in con- 
nection with Kilpatrick's command, and when General 
6 



66 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

Sherman reached Cheraw, was sent to carry despatch ee 
to Wilmington which was then occupied by the Union 
troops under Generals Schofield and Terry. The 
journey was a perilous one, as he descended Cape Feai 
river from the mouth of Rockfish creek, a distance of 
more than a hundred miles, in an open boat ; and the 
whole shore of the river was lined with rebel troops. 
Having reached Wilmington in safety and delivered his 
despatches, he was immediately requested to carry de- 
spatches also to Newbern and Kinston, where he found 
General Schofield. Three hours after the delivery of 
these, General Schofield entrusted him with a despatch for 
General Sherman w^hich he wished taken across the 
country. He started immediately, and after a long and 
somewhat dangerous tramp (for he could only go on foot 
in safety), he reached the general near Faison's depot. 
After the battle of Bentonville he applied for and re- 
ceived his discharge, having been in the service seven 
months over the time for which he had enlisted, and on 
the Ist of April, 1865, was mustered out at Columbus. 
It would be hard, we think, to find in the history of any 
war, an instance of a scout or spy who had encountered 
more dangers, hardships, and risks, or surmounted them 
more gallantly than Corporal James Pike. 



A FEMALE SCOUT AND SPY. 

During the war, a very considerable number of women 
nave entered the secret service of the commanders of the 
Union armies, and perhaps quite as many, or more, 
have been employed by the rebel generals in obtaining 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DLTECTIVES. 67 

information of the situation and purposes of the Union 
troops. The adventures of many of these, for obviou« 
reasons, have not as yet been made pubhc, and some of 
them may perhaps never be recorded. Among them 
have been a number of actresses, whose profession has 
given them extraordinary facilities for this service, and 
whose intense loyalty has caused them to run fearful 
risks to render it service. Of some of these we shall 
have occasion to speak by-and-by. One of the moat 
adroit and successful of these was not an actress, nor a 
native of the United States. Miss S. E. E. Edmonds, 
better known, perhaps, as " The Nurse and Spy," is a 
native of the province of New Brunswick, and having 
an earnest desire to acquire a superior education, with 
a view to becoming a foreign missionary, and possessing 
besides an energetic and independent disposition, came 
to the United States, we beUeve, in 1859 or 1860, and 
for a time acted as a canvasser for some books published 
in Hartford, Conn. When the war broke out, she at 
once resolved to devote herself to the work of nursing 
the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals, and 
went to Washington for that purpose. After spending 
eight or nine months in this duty, she learned that one 
of the spies in General McClellan's service had been 
captured by the rebels in Richmond, and executed, and 
that it was necessary that his place should be filled. 
Miss Edmonds was daring and resolute, capable of en- 
during an extraordinary amount of fatigue, an accom- 
plished equestrienne, and a capital shot, and possessed 
of quick and ready perceptions, and great intelligence, 
while her powers of impersonation were unrivalled 
She applied for the position, and was accepted after a 



fi8 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

very thorough examination. Her first disguise was 
that of a negro boy. Passing safely through the Union 
lines, and past the rebel pickets, she entered the suburbs 
of Yorktown, and met with some negroes v/ho were car- 
rying out supplies to the pickets. Mingling with these, 
the pretended contraband soon attracted the attention 
of a young rebel officer, who demanded, " Who do you 
belong to, and why are you not at work ?" '^ I doesn't 
b'long to nobody, massa ; I'se free, and allers was ; I'se 
gwyne to Richmond to work," was the reply. The offi- 
cer, apparently astonished that a free negro should aver 
his freedom, ordered him immediately set to work wheel- 
ing gravel up a parapet about eight feet high, for 
strengthening the works, and ordered that he should 
receive twenty lashes if he did not do his work well. 
The work was very severe, even for a strong and robust 
man, and though the negroes comprising the gang helped 
what they could, yet before night the hands of the 
pseudo-contraband were blistered from the wrists to the 
tips of the fingers, and she was completely exhausted. 
After resting a little, however, she made an inspection 
of the fortifications, sketched them, ascertained the num- 
ber, size, and position of the guns, carefully concealing 
her notes between the soles of her contraband shoes. 
Securing the services of a young negro to take her place 
the next day on the parapet, she entered upon the easier 
service of carrying water to a brigade stationed near the 
rebel headquarters. Here she obtained some important 
information in regard to the numbers and intentions of 
the rebels, and defected a rebel spy, who, under the 
guise of a peddler, had often visited the Union head- 
quarters, and who had caused the death of one of 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 69 

McClellan's sta^ officers, a friend of Miss Edmunds 
At night, going out to the picket lines, the pretended 
contraband wa^ entrusted with a fine rifle, and put upon 
picket duty. Availing herself of the opportunity, she 
now escaped to the Union lines, bringing her rifle a. a 
trophy, and soon after reported it headquarters Her 
next expedition was under the guise of an old Irish 
woman, engaged in peddling cakes, etc., among the 
rebel soldiers. This was soon after McClellan had 
reached the banks of the Chickahominy. Losing her 
way m the Chickahominy swamps, she suflfered from a 
violent attack of fever and ague, and for two days lay 
m the swamp without food or shelter, her stock of food 
having been spoiled in crossing the Chickahominy On 
the third day she was roused by heavy firing, and 
crawhng in the direction whence it proceeded, came 
soon to an opening and a small frame house, which had 
been deserted by its inhabitants, but in which she found 
a dying rebel officer. She ransacked the house for arti- 
cles of food, and succeeded in finding a httle meal and 
some l^a, and soon prepared a tolerable meal for the 
dymg soldier, who had been some days without food 
and also something to stay her own hunger. Being 
unable, from exhaustion, to go upon her mission, and 
hndmg that the poor man had but a few hours to live 
she cared for him a* tenderly a^ she could, and befoi^ 
he died, he gave her his wat«h and papers, with direct 
faons to deliver them U> Major McKee, of General 
Ewell's staff, and expressed his gratitude to her for her 
kindness. 

After bis death, she rested for a short time, and then 
gathenng from the house what supplies she could, to 



70 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

make up an outfit for her assumed character, she wended 
her way to the rebel camp, five or six miles distant, and 
having ascertained what she could of the position and 
intentions of the rebels, and the location of the batteries 
they had concealed along the route of the approach of 
the Union army, she sought Major McKee, but was 
obliged to wait till five P. M. before she could see him. 
He was very much afiected at the intelligence of Captain 
Hall's death, and offered to reward her, but she would 
accept no reward. He then requested her to guide a 
detachment of his men to the place where the captain 
had died. As she was really unable to walk that dis- 
tance, at her request he furnished her with a horse to 
ride. The lone house was on debatable ground, and there 
was reason to fear that the Union troops might fall upon 
them while engaged in this humane work; but they 
reached the place in safety and found the body, and the 
commander of the detachment requesting her to ride 
down the road and see if there were any Yankees in 
sight, she complied with his request very willingly, and 
became so much interested in her search that she did 
not draw rein till she arrived in the Union camp, when 
she reported her discoveries, and prevented the army 
from falling into the traps set for them. The horse thus 
taken from the enemy, though spirited, proved a vicious 
brute, and with its teeth and heels came near costing 
her her life. At the battle of Fair Oaks, she acted as 
orderly to General Kearny, and twice swam the Chick- 
ahominy to hurry forward reinforcements for the sorely 
pressed Union troops. In the retreat across the Penin- 
sula, she was again repeatedly under fire, while serving 
as orderly or on detached duty with the wounded; and 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVKS. 71 

under the assumed name of Frank Thompson took part 
in most of the battles of that famous retreat. During 
the last few days of Pope's campaign, she was sent three 
times into the enemy's camp, and under different dis- 
guises ; once as a negress ; and again, in other characters, 
she penetrated to their headquarters, and brought away, 
not only information of their intended movements, but 
valuable orders and papers. 

After the battle of Antietam, when following Lee 
back to the Rapidan, while on detached service, a body 
of cavalry with whom Miss Edmonds was travelling, 
were attacked by guerillas and her horse killed under 
her, and she herself seriously injured and robbed. 
Union troops soon came up, however, and defeated the 
guerillas and'restored her money. In the battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, under her assumed name of Frank Thomp- 
son, she acted as aid-de-camp to General Hancock, and 
was under fire during the whole period. After General 
Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac, she 
went to the Western army, overtaking at Louisville the 
Ninth Army Corps, to which she had been for some time 
attached. 

Here she was not long in resuming her former voca- 
tion as a spy, and having aided in the capture of some 
rebel prisoners, she donned the butternut garb, and as a 
Kentuckian, sympathizing with the rebels, wandered 
into their camp, but was presently pounced upon by a 
rebel cavalry captain and conscripted into service ; but 
having to go into action before taking the oath, the con- 
script managed to get upon the Union side, and wounded 
severely, though not mortally, the rebel captain who 
had attempted to secure her services. As the duty of a 



72 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

spy after this was likely to be extra hazardous, the 
commanding general detailed Miss Edmonds to detec- 
tive duty in Louisville, and with great skill and taot 
she managed to detect and secure the capture of several 
rebel spies then in the city. She next visited Vicksburg, 
and after serving some time in the hospitals there as a 
Durse, was compelled by broken health to leave the army 
for a time. 



The Irish Sentinel. — A son of the Green Isle, a new 
member of Colonel Gillem's Middle Tennessee regiment, 
while stationed at Nashville recently, was detailed on 
guard duty on a prominent street of that city. It was 
his first experience at guard-mounting, and he strutted 
along his beat apparently with a full appreciation of the 
dignity and importance of his position. As a citizen 
approached, he shouted — 

" Halt ! Who comes there ?" 

"A citizen," was the response. 

"Advance, citizen, and give the countersign." 

" I haven't the countersign ; and, if I had, the de- 
mand for it at this time and place is something very 
strange and unusual," rejoined the citizen. 

"An, by the howly Moses, ye don't pass this way at 
all till ye say Bunker Hill," was Pat's reply. 

The citizen, appreciating the "situation," advanced 
and cautiously whispered in his ear the necessary words. 

" Right ! Pass on." And the wide awake sentinel 
msumed his beat. 



NARRAHTES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 73 

ADVENTURES OF HARRY NEWCOMER 

A SOOUT AND SPY IN THX ABMY OF THX OUMBBBLAND. 

Among the many spies and detectives employed by the 
conmianders of the Union armies, in procuring informa- 
tion concerning the condition, purposes, and position of 
the enemy, or the evil deeds of rebel sjnnpathizers, none 
perhaps, has passed through more interesting adventures, 
than he whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 
We have compiled from the poUce record oi the "An- 
nals of the Army of the Cumberland," the following 
history of some of his adventures and escapes. 

Harry Newcomer is a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
bom in Lancaster county, in March, 1829. He was 
bom and brought up in a hotel, and was employed as a 
bar tender in his boyhood. At the age of fourteen, his 
mother died, and his father broke up housekeeping, and 
Boon afterward he was apprenticed to a miller in Ohio. 
After serving out his time, he continued for some years 
in the business, until his brother-in-law was elected 
sheriff of Ashland county, Ohio, when he was appointed 
one of his deputies. In 1857, he removed to Cleveland, 
and was employed by United States Marshal Jabez 
Fitch, as a detective officer. He retained this situation 
for about three years, and was successful in ferreting out 
and bringing to punishment a number of noted cases of 
crime, especially of counterfeiters. At that time the 
authorities had ascertained that a large business was 
done in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit money 
in Geauga county, Ohio, but all attempts to obtain any 
positive evidence to fasten the guilt upon the suspected 



74 NAKRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

parties had failed. Newcomer had already acquired a 
high reputation as a shrewd and successful detective, 
and it was determined to set him at work upon the case. 
He was instructed to make the acquaintance of an old 
blacksmith, named Jesse Bowen, who cultivated also a 
small farm in the vicinity of Burton Square in that 
county. Bowen was notoriously a lawless, bad man, 
and had been for many years engaged in all manner of 
frauds and crimes, but had managed to escape detection 
and punishment. He was now seventy-eight years of 
age, a friendless, unsocial old villain, whose house was 
shunned by all who cared for their reputation or candor. 
Newcomer introduced himself to him as William H. 
Hall, an extensive manufacturer and dealer in counter^ 
feit money. He had with him, as evidence of his be- 
longing to the fraternity, considerable amounts of coun- 
terfeit bills on various banks, with which he had been 
abundantly supplied. After two or three interviews, by 
that sort of fascination with which he is so eminently 
endowed, he succeeded in winning completely the old 
man's confidence, and learned from him the names of 
all those who were connected with the gang of counter 
feiters. He did more than this. Won by the apparent 
cordiality of Newcomer, who assisted him on his little 
farm, he unearthed his machinery and engaged with 
him in the manufacture of bogus coin, gave him the 
pass-word, and introduced him to all the members of the 
gang, with whom he was presently on the best of terms. 
In an excess of communicativeness, Bowen one day 
called young Newcomer into an orcnard and revealed to 
him, in confidence, that he and his brother had, in early 
Ufe, murdered their brother-in-law, in Vermont, and that 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTITES. 7fc 

they had only been saved from the gallows, by a man 
being found who bore a remarkably strong resemblance 
to the murdered man, and who was induced to swear that 
he was the man supposed to be killed. This was the 
celebrated Corbin case so often referred to, in criminal 
trials. 

Having finally implicated the entire gang of counter- 
feiters, and acquired a thorough knowledge of their 
haunts and residences, Newcomer plead that urgent 
business called him away, and repairing to Cleveland, 
reported progress to the United States Marshal, and 
officers were sent, and the whole number arrested, tried, 
-onvicted, and sent to the penitentiary. 

In 1860, he removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
where he was soon employed in the detection and ai- 
rest of a noted counterfeiter, named Charles Coventiy, 
a man of gigantic strength, and the terror of the whole 
region. This was accomphshed with his usual adroitr 
ness, and the desperate villain trapped, tried, convicted, 
and sent to prison for five years. In about a year, he 
had succeeded in detecting and bringing to justice sixty- 
eight criminals, counterfeiters, burglars, horse thieves, 
and villains of all sort. In 1861, his extraordinary suc^ 
cess having excited the jealousy of the other detectives 
of Pittsburg, he removed to Chicago, but finding no em- 
ployment which suited him, he enlisted as a non-com- 
missioned officer in the Eleventh Indiana Battery. With 
this battery he served throughout Buell's campaign to 
Nashville and Shiloh, to Corinth and Huntsville, Ala- 
bama, when the old love of adventure coming upon him, 
he began to act as a scout on his own account, reporting, 
when any thing of ii terest came to his knowledge, to 



76 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

Colonel, afterward General Harker, of the Sixty-fifth Ohio 
Volunteers, who then commanded the brigade to which 
he was attached. The colonel, pleased with his skill 
and adroitness, gave him passes and encouraged him to 
continue to make these scouting expeditions as he had 
opportunity. 

Frequently he would go down to the Tennessee river 
in sight of the rebel pickets ; and one night he conclu- 
ded to cross the river and get a nearer view of them. 
Striking the stream at a point three miles from Steven- 
eon, he built a raft of rails and paddled himself across. 
Crawling up the bank through the bush, he came close 
upon the pickets, seven in number, without being ob- 
served. After watching their movements awhile, and 
finding nothing of particular interest, he returned safely 
as he went. Soon afterward, a negro told him of an 
island in the Tennessee river, some ten miles below Ste- 
venson, on which a company of guerilla cavalry were 
in the habit of rendezvousing every night. This opened 
a large field of operations for our scout, and he deter- 
mined to visit the island forthwith. One afternooon, 
borrowing a suit of butternut from a negro at Stevenson, 
he set forth in that direction. The butternut clothes 
were carried under his saddle until he was fairly outside 
of our lines, when he exchanged his own for them and 
went on in the character of a genuine native. Reach- 
ing the river opposite the island after dark, he again 
constructed a raft of rails, fastening them together this 
time with grape-vines, and shoved across the narrow 
channel to the island, landing in a dense canebrake. 
Carefully feeling his way through this, he came soon to 
* com-crib, around which twenty-five or thirty horses 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 77 

were feeding. It was now ten o'clock, and quite dark, 
but clear and starlight. Examining the crib, the en- 
trance was discovered about half-way up, and our ad- 
venturer at once clambered up and put his head and 
shoulders through. Careful listening revealed the pres- 
ence of sleepers within. Putting his hand down to 
see how far it was to them, it came in contact with the 
body of a man. Wishing to know in what direction he 
was lying, he felt along carefully and came upon a pis- 
tol in his belt. Working at this, he soon drew it out, 
and, finding it a good Colt's revolver, put it into his 
pocket and got down again. Exploring around, he came 
to a com patch and a cabin near by, in which there 
seemed, from the noise within, to be a family or two of 
negroes. Crossing to the south or rebel side of the 
island, he found that the stream was much narrower 
there than on the other side, and that close to the shore 
a number of boats and scows, in which the band crossed 
and recrossed, were tied. It was now time to think 
about getting home, and he circled around the crib and 
cabin to reach the place where he had left his raft. 
When he came in sight of it, there was also to be seen 
a human form standing by the water's edge and appar- 
ently regarding the raft with no little astonishment. In 
the uncertain light, it was impossible to tell whether it 
was man or woman, white or black ; and there was 
nothing to do but wait until it disappeared. Crouching 
down amid the canes, he soon saw it turn and begin to 
climb the bank directly toward him ; as a precautionary 
measure he took out the pistol and cocked it, though he 
could not see or feel whether it was loaded or not. The 
person proved to be a negro, and passed by, unconscious 



7S NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

of the presence of any one so near, soliloquizing to him- 
self thus : — " Mighty quare boat dat ar ; 'spec's some of 
Masser John's work." This danger having passed, our 
self-appointed spy descended, and re-embarked on his 
raft. Lest any one should see him, he lay flat upon it, 
paddling with extended arms, the whole presenting very 
much the appearance of a floating mass of drift wood. 
By the time he reached the opposite shore his butter- 
nut suit was pretty thoroughly soaked, but without 
stopping to dry it, he mounted his horse, which he found 
straying about the woods, rode on to Stevenson, and 
reported to Colonel Harker. An expedition for the cap- 
ture of this band — afterward ascertained to be Captain 
Rountree's company — was just about starting, when or 
ders were received to evacuate the place and fall back 
to Nashville with the remainder of Buell's army. 

The battery went no farther backward than Nashville, 
remaining there during the famous investment of the 
city and until the Army of the Cumberland again 
reached it. Meanwhile, Newcomer was occasionally 
employed by General Negley as a detective ; but most 
of the time was spent with his command. Early in 
December the police and scout system was fully organ- 
ized and in successful operation. Our former scout, 
thinking that he could serve the Government to better 
advantage in the business with which he was so familiar, 
made application to Colonel Truesdail for employment as 
a scout and spy. The colonel, pleased with his appearance 
and conversation, at once made an engagement with him, 
and procured his detail for that special service. Having 
previously made the acquaintance of one Cale Harrison, 
a livery-stable-keeper, he now called on him, and, ex- 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETEC7TYES 79 

hibitmg a forged certificate of discharge, told hi ji that 
he was oij ijis way to the rebel army. Harrison, of 
course, was highly pleased to hear it, and gave him 
some valuable hints and information for his guidance in 
the matter. There wa-. h ■ >;aid, a man living on the 
Charlotte pike, by the name of Spence, whose son wae 
an aide-de-camp on the staff of General Polk, and who 
would undoubtedly assist him in getting south and give 
him a letter of introduction to his son. In this event 
the road would be clear, and no difficulty need be 
apprehended in making the trip. 

Thus directed, he set forth from Nashville on a scout 
»outh, with saddle-bags well filled with fine-tooth combs, 
needles, pins, thread, etc., and carrying two fine navy 
revolvers. Going directly to Spence's, he introduced 
himself, said he had called by recommendation of 
Harrison, made known his business, and asked for a 
letter to his son, on General Polk's staff. Spence re- 
ceived him cordially, but would not furnish him with 
the desired letter. He referred him, however, to J 
Wesley Ratclifie, li^ing about one mile from Franklin, 
on the Lewisburg pike, as a person likely to render him 
very material 4i<eistance. This Ratclifie was i rebel 
agent for the purchase of stock and commissary stores, 
and was well known throughout the whole country. 
Pushing on, he accordingly called at Ratcliffe's, and 
made his acquaintance. When informed of his plana 
and purposes and shown the goods, Ratclifie was much 
pleased, and soon became very friendly, advising him to 
go to Shelbyville, where such articles were greatly 
needed and could easily be disposed of Newcomer 
accordingly started for Shelbyville, and for some time 



80 ^ARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

met with no incidents on the way. Between Canej; 
Springs and Rover, however, he fell in with a band of 
rebel cavalry belonging to General Buford's command, 
who, on being made acquainted with his business, advised 
him not to go to Shelby ville, as considerable trouble might 
be experienced there. Their bushy shocks of hair sug- 
gesting that they were combless, he offered his stock for 
sale, chatting meanwhile with them about matters and 
things in general and in that vicinity in particular. 
Combs which cost two dollars per dozen he solr' »r two 
dollars each, and other articles in proportion, and oy 
the time his trading was finished, had ascertained tnat 
General Buford was stationed at Rover to guard a large 
mill full of flour and meal — the size of his command, 
the number and calibre of his guns, and other items of 
importance, and also what generals and troops were at 
Shelby ville. The cavalrymen now wished him to go 
back to Nashville and bring them some pistols on his 
return. This he agreed to do, and, having obtained all 
the information he cared for at this time, turned his 
horse about and once more set his face toward Nashville. 
The two pistols which he had carried with him he had 
not shown, and still had them in his possession — which 
circumstance was the cause of a slight adventure on the 
way home. He had proceeded but a little way when 
he met with a small squad of cavalry, who halted him 
as usual, and demanded his name, business, and where 
he was going. These questions satisfactorily answered, 
he was next asked if he had any pistols about him. He 
replied that he had two, and was forthwith ordered b^' 
a rough-looking Texan to produce them, which was 
hardly d Dne before they were coolly appropriated by his 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 81 

interrogator. Remonstrance was followed by abuse and 
threats of violence ; and it was only by the intervention 
of the other parties that the matter was compromised 
by the sale of the pistols at fifty dollars each, and our 
traveller allowed to go on his way rejoicing. Without 
interruption headquarters were reached, and a report of 
operations duly made. 

Remaining two days at Nashville, he started again, 
witJi three pistols and the balance of the old stock of 
goods. The first night was spent at Ratcliffe's, and the 
next day both went to Murfreesboro in a buggy. Rat- 
clifie had business to transact with the provost-marshal, 
and a number of the generals and inferior officers to see, 
and Newcomer was taken round and introduced to all, 
as a co-laborer in the cause of the South. During his 
four days' stay, he was all over the town, through 
several of the camps, in many of the houses, drank 
whiskey with General Frank Cheatham, went to a grand 
party at the court house, and made love to a dozen oi 
more young ladies of secession proclivities — aided in all 
this by a perfect self-possession, an easy, graceful man- 
ner, and a winning face. In addition to pleasure seek 
ing and love making, he also drove a thriving business 
in the sale of pistols and other contraband goods, and. 
with pockets filled with money and head stored with in- 
formation, returned with Ratclifie to his house, and 
thence to Nashville — having first made an arrangement 
with the former to accompany him to ShelbyviUe the 
next day. Arriving at Nashville after dark, he re- 
mained there until morning, and then made preparations 
and started for a third trip. 

With a pail or two of cotton cards, a lot of pistol caps, 

6 



82 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AUD DETECTIVES. 

and some smaller knick-knacks, as passports to favor, 
he set forth once more to join Ratcliffe ; but having been 
unavoidably delayed in starting, he found him already 
gone. Nothing was now to be done but to boldly push 
ahead in the hope of overtaking him on the road, or 
meeting him at Shelbyville. With the exception of 
Ratcliffe, not a soul there knew him. Trusting to good 
fortune, he travelled on, and reached Shelbyville in 
due season without trouble. The usual questions were 
asked him by guards and pickets, to all of which he re- 
plied that he lived in Davidson county, was going to 
visit some friends in the 44th Tennessee regiment, and 
had, moreover, a small stock of contraband goods for 
sale. These answers proving satisfactory, he was passed 
through and reached the town early in the forenoon. 
Most of the day he spent in riding about, looking into 
quartermasters' and commissary depots, inquiring the 
names of officers, the number of troops, commanders, 
etc., until he had ascertained all that he wished. By 
this time night was drawing near, and it was high time 
to think about getting out of town ; for should he remain 
after dark, he was certain to be arrested. Ratcliffe was 
nowhere to be seen, and on inquiry he was told that he 
had gone to Atlanta, Georgia, on the train, and that 
nobody knew when he would be back. Here was a 
desperate state of affairs. Get out of town he must^ 
and to get out he must have a pass. It was easy enough 
to come in, but very difficult to get out. Nobody knew 
him ; and, in fact, for once in his life, he was at a loss 
what to do. While thus troubled, he met some citizens 
of Davidson county who had been over the river to the 
camps of Cheatham and McCown's divisions, and were 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. S3 

now on their way to the provost-marshal to procure 
return passes. Misery loves company, and with a long 
face he told them his trouble — dressing it up with a 
considerable amount of fiction to suit the occasion. By 
way of adding earnestness to his entreaty and to open a 
sure path to their sympathies, he bought a bottle of 
whiskey and invited them all to drink with him. The 
liquor warmed their hearts as well as stomachs ; and 
while hobnobbing together he asked them if they wouldn't 
vouch for him to the provost-marshal, and thus enable 
him to procure a pass. Being now in a condition to love 
the world and everybody in it, they promised to do so, 
and in due season all went for passes. His seven newly- 
made friends found no difficulty in their suit, their names 
being all written on a single pass ; but our scout was 
left unnoticed. The attention of the provost-marshal 
was called to him, when that functionary asked if any 
of them was personally acquainted with him. Though 
rebels, they would not lie ; possibly they thought it was 
not necessary ; and answered, " No," but they would 
vouch for him. But that would not do. His situation 
now was worse than ever. He not only had no pass, 
but had not the slightest chance of getting one. The 
whiskey investment had proved a losing speculation ; and 
he knew not where to turn for relief. The loungers 
ibout the office began to eye him suspiciously, and 
even the dogs seemed disposed to growl and snap at him 
as having no business there. The place was getting too 
hot for safety ; and his only hope of escape was to hurry 
out and lose himself in the crowd. 

His new friends were still outside, waiting for him , 
and with them a long consultation was held as to what 



84 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES 

had better be done about getting away, as every moment 
added to his already serious danger. Finally, one of 
the party suggested that he should go with them ai.y- 
how — that the pickets would not be likely to notice that 
his name was not in the pass, there being so many 
already on it. In default of any thing better, this pro- 
position was agreed to, and all set out together. New- 
comer, however, was still far from easy about the mat- 
ter, and was fearful that the plan would not work As 
they were journeying along, he proposed to the one who 
had the pass that he should be allowed to write his own 
uame on the pass with a pencil, and if any objection 
should be made to it they might say that he belonged 
to the party but did not come in until the pass was 
made out, and that the provost marshal, to save writing 
a new one, had inserted the name in pencil-mark. This 
was assented to and done. The amended pass carried 
them safely through, and the last cloud of anxiety was 
lifted from his troubled mind. 

Some twelve or fifteen miles having been passed over 
pleasantly. Newcomer purposely lagged behind and 
allowed the others to get far ahead, when he turned oflf 
and struck across to the Lewisburg and Franklin pike. 
Travelling on this about ten miles, he stopped for the 
night, with five of Wheeler's cavalry, at the house of a 
man who had a son in Forrest's command. Starting the 
next morning betimes, he reached Ratclifie's the same 
evening, but found he had not yet reached home. Stop- 
ping a few moments, he passed on through Franklin 
toward Nashville. He had gone some seven miles, and 
was near Brentwood, when he saw four cavalrymen 
riding furiously down a lane just ahead of him. They 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 85 

and our hero reached its entrance at the same moment. 
The leader of the squad — who proved to be Captain 
Harris, a scout of John jNIorgan's, and who, as well as 
his three men, was very drunk — roughly halted him, 
««.nd riding up, pistol in hand, shouted : 

" Who are you ? and where do you live ?" 

^' My name is Newcomer, and I live six miles from 
Nashville, near Brent Spence's," was the ready, respect 
ful reply. 

Spence was well known to all, and no further troubl 
was apprehended ; but the drunken captain was not so 
easily satisfied. He soon asked : 

" Where have you been ? and what in the are 

you doing here ?" 

" I have been to Shelby ville to see Spence's son, and 
I took along some contraband goods to sell." 

" You can go back to Franklin with me, sir !" 

Protestation was unavailing; and without more ado 
he turned about and all started toward Franklin. On 
the way Harris asked if he had any arms with him, and 
on being told that he had two fine revolvers and some 
cartridges, ordered him to give them up, which was 
done. With a savage leer he then said : 

" I know all about you. You're a Yankee spy 

You have been going backward and forward here so 
much that the citizens of Franklin have suspected yo' 
for a long time, and liave reported you. I am sat?sfied 
that you are a Yankee spy ; and I am going to hang 

you, you. Bragg has ordered me never to bring 

in spies, but to shoot or hang them like dogs on the 
spot ; and I am going to mak? a beginning with you, 
now, this very night." 



86 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

" If you do that,*' was the reply, " youll take the life 
of a good and true man. I can show by J. W. Ratcliffe 
that I am a true Southerner, that I have done much 
good for the cause — very likely much more than you 
have — and that I am doing good every day I live." 

" Captain," said one of the men, " it may be that he 
is an important man to our cause ; and you had better 
see Ratcliffe and inquire into his case," 

Harris studied a moment, and finally concluded to go 
with the prisoner to Ratcliffe's and confer about the 
matter — at the same time assuring him that it was of 
no use, for he should certainly hang him anyhow. At 
Franklin all stopped to drink, and Harris and his men 
became beastly drunk. Reeling into their saddles, they 
were once more on their way to Ratcliffe's, but had gone 
only a short distance, when Harris wheeled his horse 
and hiccoughed out — 

" Boys, there's no use in fooling. I am satisfied this 

fellow's a Yankee spy ; and here's just as good a 

place as we can find to hang him. Take the halter ofl 
that horse's neck and bring it here." 

It was indeed a fitting place in which to do foul mur- 
der. Not a house was to be seen ; and the road wound 
through one of those cedar thickets so dense that even 
in mid-day it was almost dark within them. It was 
aow night, and the sombre shade even more gloomy 
than ever, as Harris jumped from his horse, and, taking 
the halter, made a noose of it, and, fitting it around the 
neck of the unlucky scout, drew it up uncomfortably 
tight, until, in fact, it was just about strangling him. 

Now or never was the time to expostulate and entreat. 
In a moment it might be too late ; and then farewell 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 87 

home, friends, and all the joys of life ! It is not hard to die 
in peace, surrounded by weeping friends, or even to jne& 
the dread king in the shock and excitement of battle ; 
but to hang like a dog! — the idea is sickening, appalling; 
and it is no sign of cowardice to shrink from it. One 
more ejQTort, then, for life, even if it be to supplicate for 
mercy from a drunken rebel. 

" Captain," said he, with great feeling, " it is wrong 
to take a man's life on so slight a suspicion. It is a vast 
responsibility to take upon one's self; and you may do 
something for which you will be sorry by-and-by, in 
your calmer moments, and for which you may be even 
punished when it comes to the knowledge of General 
Bragg." 

To which came the rough and heartless answer, " 1 
know my business, and I don't want any advice from a 

Yankee spy. When I do, I'll let you know. Come 

along," shouted he, seizing the rope and dragging hia 
victim toward a tree. "I know my duty, apd am 
going to do it, too. Come on, men, and let's swing up 
this rascally spy." 

They refused to come to his assistance, however, say- 
ing that they were as ready as he to do their duty, but 
they wanted to be a little better satisfied about the mat- 
ter. It was only half a mile to Ratcliffe's, and it would 
De a very easy thing to go and see what he said about 
it. Harris would not listen a moment, and again or- 
dered them to come and help him, which they dared 
not longer refuse. 

The case now appeared hopeless. Death stared him 
in the face, and life, with all its memories and pleasures, 
seemed passing dreamily away. Looking into the cedftTs 



88 J^AKRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

hanging heavy with darkness, they seemed the entrance 
to the valley of the shadow of death, beyond which la;y 
the infinite and mysterious future. On the verge of the 
grave life was yet sweet — yet worth striving for ; and, 
as a last efibrt, the unfortunate man went up to Harris, 
placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked him if he 
would promise, on the word and honor of a gentleman, 
that he would go to General Bragg and give him a true 
statement of the affair, narrating every circumstance as 
it actually occurred. Then, turning to the men, he 
asked them if they would do it, provided the captain 
did not. Less hardened than the captain, they feelingly 
answered that they would ; and the earnestness with 
which they replied was proof enough that they would 
make good their words. This set the captain to think- 
ing. He evidently didn't like the idea of Bragg's hear- 
ing about it, and, after some moments' reflection, con- 
cluded to go to Ratcliffe's and see what he would say. 
The rope was removed, and they resumed their journey — 
the captain still swearing it would do no good, as noth- 
ing could save him, for he was bound to hang him that 
very night. 

Life still hung on a thread, however. In the after- 
noon, when Newcomer had been there, Ratclifie had not 
returned, and if he were not now at home, nothing 
would prevent Harris from carrying out his threat, 
which he seemed determined to execute. That haL 
mile was the longest ride Newcomer ever took. No 
lights were to be seen ; but it was near midnight, and 
it might be that all were abed. Harris left the prisoner 
at the gate, in charge of the other three, and went up to 
the house. He knocked on the window, and Newcomer 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 89 

thought it was the thumping of his own heart. Fortun- 
ately Ratcliffe was at home, and came hurriedly to the 
door, without stopping to dress. The two conversed in 
a low tone for some time, when Ratcliffe was heard to 

exclaim, " I'll be if you do !" and instantly started 

down toward the gate. Coming up to the prisoner, 
and throwing one arm around his neck, while he took 
his hand in his, he said to him — 

"Great God! Harry, how fortunate that I am at 
home !" 

After they had talked awhile together, Harris came 
up again, and called Ratcliffe to one side, where they 
had another protracted conversation, in a low, whisper- 
ing tone. While they were thus engaged, a large owl 
on a tree near by began hooting, and was speedily an- 
swered by another some distance up the road. The 
three men mounted their horses at once and galloped to 
the road, shouting at the top of their voices — 

" Captain, we're surrounded ! This is a trap. Don't 
you hear the signals ?" 

The captain stepped to the road, listened a moment, 
and then, with a volley of oaths, ordered them back for 

a "pack of fools, to be scared at an owl." Still 

quaking with fear, which did not entirely leave them 
until they were fairly away from the place, they resumed 
their places, the owls hooting lustily all the while. 

Harris and Ratcliffe continued their conversation for 
a few minutes, when the former came towards Newcomer 
with a pistol and some papers in each hand, saying, as 
he gave them to him : 

" I release you and restore your property on the word 
of Quartermaster Ratcliffe. He assures me that you are 



90 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. 

one of the most important men in the south, and a secret 
agent of the Confederacy. I am very sorry that this 
thing has occurred, and will make any amends in my 
power. K you desire, I will go with you to the Chai^ 
lotte pike as an escort, or will do you any favor you may 
ask." 

'' No," said Ratcliffe ; "he must come in and stay aH 
night with me. I can't let him go on to-night." 

While standing at the gate, during this conversation, 
our released prisoner sold his pistols to the cavalrymen 
for Tennessee money. Just at this moment, too, a 
squad of cavalry belonging to Stams's command came 
by. One of them — to whom Newcomer had sold a 
pistol some weeks before — recognized him at once, and 
shook hands with him very cordially. He corroborated 
Ratcliffe's statement, saying that Newcomer was on very 
important business for the South, which was rendered 
still more so by the fight having begun at Stewart's 
creek. A short time was passed in general conversa^ 
tion, when all left except Newcomer, who hitched hi» 
horse to the porch and went in with Ratcliffe. When 
sufficient time had elapsed for them to be well out of the 
way. Newcomer said his business was of too much im 
portance to brook delay, and he must be off at once. 
Ratcliffe said if he must go he could not urge him to 
etay. " I will go with you to your horse," said he ; 
"meanwhile take this to keep you from further trouble. 
If anybody stops you again, just show them this, and 
you will be passed at once." 

So saying, he took from his pocket a large govern- 
ment envelope— of which he had an abundance — and 
wrote on it : 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 91 

''All Right. 

"J. W. Ratcliffe." 

Aimed with this, he started again, and reached th<» 
pickets of the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, who brought 
im into the city, [t was nearly three o'clock in the 
Jiorning when he arrived at the police office ; but the 
colonel was still up, and immediately telegraphed his 
report to headquarters. 

The next day, nothing daunted, he set out again, and 
went, as usual, first to Ratcliffe's, where he remained 
all night — thence the next morning travelled, by way 
of Hart's crossroads and Caney Springs, to Murfrees- 
boro, reaching that place on the Saturday evening 
closing the week of battles at Stone river. Riding 
about the town, he observed that nearly every house in 
it was a hospital. Every thing was confusion and excite- 
ment. Immense crowds of straggling soldiers and citi- 
zens were gathered about the court house and depot. 
Commissary and quartermaster stores, artillery, ammu- 
nition, and camp equipage, were being loaded on the 
cars, and trains were starting as fast as loaded. An 
evacuation was evidently on hand, and that right speed- 
ily ; and he determined to leave as soon as possible. 
The only trouble was how to get out. After wandering 
around some time, seeking an opportunity, he came 
across a train of small wagons, with which the neighbor- 
ing farmers had come to take home their wounded sonp 
and brothers. Quick to embrace opportunities, he saw 
that now was his chance to escape. Dismounting from 
his horse, he led him by the bridle, and walked demurely 
behind one of tliese wagons, as though it was in hie 



92 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

charge. Clad in butternut, and in every outward appeal 
ance resembling the others accompanying it, the deceit 
was not discovered, and he safely passed all the pickets. 
It was now nearly two o'clock in the morning, and he 
rode rapidly on, in a cold, driving rain, until fairly be- 
numbed. Some nine miles out, he came to a deserted 
Bchool-house, which he unceremoniously entered, leading 
his horse in after him. Within, a large fireplace and 
an abundance of desks suggested the idea of a fire, and 
a huge blaze roaring and crackling on the hearth soon 
demonstrated its practicability. The next step was to 
wring the water out of his well-soaked garments, and 
partially dry them. Both horse and man enjoyed them- 
selves here until near daybreak, when he mounted again 
and rode on to Ratcliffe's, reaching there about three 
o'clock Sunday afternoon. Here he remained awhile 
to converse with his friend, refresh the inner man, and 
care for his horse — neither having eaten a mouthful 
since the morning before. Ratcliffe was rejoiced to see 
him, and wished him to remain longer ; but he pushed 
ahead, and reached Nashville late that evening, well 
nigh worn-out with hunger, fatigue, and want of sleep. 
His report was immediately telegraphed to General 
Rosecrans ; but he had been so long in making his way 
back that the general did not receive it until he had 
himself entered Murfreesboro. 

Late the next night he started again, with a single 
pistol, and a small stock of needles, pins, and thread. 
On Monday evening he reached Ratclifie's, and, staying 
but two hours, rode on two miles farther, to the house 
of one M. H. Perryear, with whom he remained all 
night. Thence he travelled, by way of Hart's cross- 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 93 

roads, toward Caney Springs, but before reaching the 
latter place fell in with some of Wheeler's cavalry, with 
whom he rode along, friendly and companionably enough. 
Some of them were old acquaintances, and very confi- 
dential. They were, they said, just on their way to 
burn a lot of Federal wagons at Lavergne and Triune, 
and, deeming him a good fellow well met, invited him 
to go with them. Thinking that there might be some 
chance to save the wagons, he declined the invitation, 
urging the pressing nature and importance of his mis- 
sion as an excuse. It was soon found, however, that 
every avenue of escape northward was guarded, and 
the whole country filled with the cavalry, of whom 
there were, in all, about three thousand. There was 
nothing to do, then, but to leave the wagons to their 
fate and push on, which he did, and, arriving at C&ney 
Springs, remained there over night. The next morn- 
ing the cavalry began to loiter back from their maraud- 
ing expedition, in squads of from fifteen to a hundred 
or more, and from them he learned the complete suc- 
cess of the enterprise. Making the acquaintance of a 
lieutenant, he was told that they were going at once to 
Harpeth Shoals, to burn a fleet of boats which was 
then on its way to Nashville. This determined him 
to abandon the idea of going to Shelbyville, and he ac- 
companied a detachment back as far as Hart's cross- 
roads, where they went on picketrduty at a meeting- 
house by the road. Bidding them good-day, he started 
on alone toward Ratcliffe's. Stopping at Perryear's, ht 
was told that Forrest was in Franklin, that the roads 
were all guarded, and that there was a picket just at 
Ratcliflfe s gate. Perryear then gave him an open letr 



94 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

ter of introduction, recommending him to all officers 
and soldiers of the Confederate army as a true and loyal 
Southern man, engaged in business of the highest im- 
portance to the Government. With this he again set out, 
and, as he had been told, found a picket at Ratcliffe's 
gate. Requesting to be admitted, he was asked if he 
was a soldier, and, on answering negatively, was passed 
in without hesitation. Ratcliffe corroborated Perryear's 
statement, saying, furthermore, that Forrest was very 
strict, and that it would be much better for him to re- 
main there until they had all gone down the river. 

" But," added he, " if you must go, I'll go with yon 
as far as Franklin and help you through." 

The town was found to be full of cavalry, who were 
conscripting every man whom they could lay hands on 
Ratcliffe introduced his companion to Will Forrest — 8 
brother of the general, and captain of his body-guard. 
The captain was profuse of oaths and compliments, and 
withal, so very friendly that Newcomer at once told 
him his story and business, all of which was indorsed 
by Ratcliffe. More oaths and compliments followed. 
The captain was glad to know so important a man, and, 
by way of business, asked him if he had any pistols to 

** No," was the reply ; " I have nothing but a single 
navy revolver, which I carry for my own defence, and 
which I wouldn't like to part with. But I am just going 
to Nashville for more goods, and, fearing trouble in 
getting away, I thought I would come and see about it.** 

" Oh, I guess there will be none," said the captain. 
'* The general wants to know something about Nashville, 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 95 

axid will be very apt to send you there to get the infor- 
mation for him. Come ; let's go and see about it." 

The two set forth, and found the general, surrounded 
by the usual crowd, at his hotel. Calling him to one 
side, the captain pointed out his new friend, and, 
explaining who and what he was, concluded by remark- 
ing that he wished to go to Nashville for goods, and 
would bring him any information he desired. The 
general, not just then in the best of humor, swore very 
roundly that he kneT\ as much about Nashville as he 
wanted to — it was men he wanted — and concluded by 
ordering the captain to conscript his friend into either 
his own or some other company. Turning on his heel, 
he walked briskly away, leaving his brother to his 
anger and our would-be rebel spy to his disappointment. 
The captain fumed with great, sulphurous oaths, and 
consoled Newcomer thus wise : 

" He's a fool, if he is my brother. You are the 

last man I'll ever bring to him to be insulted. But you 
sha'n't be conscripted. Come with me, and I'll help you 
through. You can go with my company, but not as a 
soldier, and I will send you to Nashville myself My 
company always has the advance, and there'll be plenty 
of chances." 

Making a virtue of necessity, this proposition wae 
gladly accepted, and all started on the march. By this 
time Wheeler had come up and taken the lead, Forrest 
following in the centre, and Stams bringing up the rear. 
About eight miles from Franklin the whole command 
encamped for the night, and our hero slept under the 
same blanket with Captain Forrest and his lieutenant, 
Texan ranger named Scott, whose chief amusement 



96 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

seemed to consist in lassoing dogs while on the march, 
and listening to their yelping as they were pitilessl}! 
dragged along behind him. Toward midnight, one of 
their spies — a Northern man, named Sharp, and 
formerly in the plough business at Nashville — came in 
from the Cumberland river. Captain Forrest introduced 
Newcomer to him as a man after his own heart — " true 
as steel, and as sharp as they make 'em." The two spies 
became intimate at once, and Sharp belied his name by 
making a confidant of his new acquaintance. He had 
formerly been in Memphis, and acted as a spy for the 
cotton-burners. More recently he had been employed 
with Forrest ; and now he had just come from Harpeth 
Shoals, where he had learned all about the fleet coming 
up the river, and to-morrow he was to guide the expedi- 
tion down to a place where they could easily be captured 
and burned. Early next morning the march was re- 
sumed, and at the crossing of the Hardin pike General 
Forrest and staff were found waiting for them. Upon 
coming up, the captain was ordered to take his company 
down the Hardin pike, go on picket there, and remain 
until eleven o'clock; when, if nothing was to be seen, 
he was to rejoin the expedition. These instructions 
were promptly carried out — a good position being taken 
on a hill some eight miles from Nashville, from which 
could be had a view of the whole country for many 
miles in every direction. About ten o'clock the captain 
came to Newcomer and said he was going to send him 
to Nashville himself; at the same time giving him a 
list of such articles as he wished, consisting principally 
'>f gray cloth, staff-buttons, etc. 

A.8 may be imagined, no time was lost in starting, and 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 97 

gtill less in getting into Nashville, where he arrived in 
due season to save the fleet. A force was at once sent 
out on the Hillsboro pike to cut off the retreat of the 
rebels, and another on the Charlotte pike to attack them 
directly. The latter force succeeded in striking their 
rear-guard, and threw them into confusion, when thej 
hastily fled across the Harpeth river, which was at the 
time very high. Our forces, being principally infantry, 
could not cross in pursuit, but the troops on the Hills- 
boro pike succeeded in killing, wounding, and capturing 
considerable numbers of them. They were thoroughly 
scattered, however, and the fleet was saved — which was 
the main object of the expedition. 

General Rosecrans had now been in Murfreesboro 
several days, and Colonel Truesdail immediately on his 
arrival sent the scout to that place. Here he made a 
full report, and, having received instructions for another 
trip, returned to Nashville the next day to make ready 
for it. The only item of interest on this trip was that 
at Eagleville he met Wheeler's command, by many oi 
whom, and by the general himself, he was well and 
favorably known. Here Wheeler employed him as a 
secret agent, and gave him a permanent pass, which he 
still retains. Borrowing from one of his officers one 
hundred dollars in Tennessee money, the general gave 
it to him, and instructed him to buy with it certain arti- 
cles which he mentioned — among which were gray clotb 
and staff buttons, always in demand for uniforms. 
Stopping at Ratcliffe's on his return, he showed him the 
pass, and related the circumstances of getting it, at 
which the former wa.s highly gratified — " as," said he, 
" you'll have no more troubh now, Harry." 
7 



98 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

At Nashville, he succeeded, of course with the permis 
eion of the Union authorities, in filling General Wheeler's 
order, and charged with such information as General 
Mitchell and Colonel Truesdail saw fit to impart, he took 
another trip to the rebel lines, Wheeler was at this 
time at Franklin, quartered in the court house. The 
goods and information were delivered, much to the grat- 
ification of the rebel general, who forthwith instructed 
him to return to Nashville for more information and 
late Northern papers. He was by this time so well 
known, and so highly esteemed by the rebels, that the 
cashier of the Franklin branch of the Planter's bank of 
Tennessee, entrusted to him the accounts and valuable 
papers of the branch bank to carry to the parent insti- 
tution at Nashville. This duty he performed faithfully. 
On his way, he stopped at the house of one Prior Smith, 
a violent rebel, and extensive negro dealer. He was 
cordially received by Smith, who tried to interest him in 
the business of running off negro children from Nash- 
ville, to be sold south. Newcomer declined entering 
upon it ; but Smith insisted, and gave him a letter of 
introduction to his " right bower," in Nashville, who 
proved to be a Dr. Hudson, a man of wealth, who pro- 
fessed to be a Union man, but had long been considered 
suspicious. The Chief of Police, Colonel Truesdail, de- 
sired him now to spend some time in Nashville in devel- 
oping the case of Dr. Hudson, but he deemed it necessary 
first, to return to Wheeler, and received permission to 
do so. At Franklin, he found that Wheeler had gone on 
to ShelbyA'ille, and stopping with his friend RatclifFe, the 
two wrote out the information he had received, and sealed 
»t up with the papers n large (rebel) government envel- 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 99 

opes, and forwarded by carrier to Wheeler. Having spent 
the night with Ratcliffe, he returned the next morning, 
and immediately entered upon the work of following up 
the Hudson case. Delivering Prior Smith's letter of intro- 
duction, he very soon gained the full confidence of Dr. Hud- 
son and his wife, and found them ready to do any thing 
to further and aid the rebel cause. Dr. Hudson was ver} 
wealthy, and possessed an elegant residence in Nashville, 
with every comfort and convenience to be desired, exten- 
sive iron-works near Harpeth Shoals, and a tract of three 
thousand acres, attached together, with a large amount 
of other property. He had taken the oath of allegiance, 
and furnished milk to several of the hos.pitals as a cover 
for his plans for furnishing arms, ammunition, medicines 
equipments, etc., to the rebel armies ; aided rebel pris- 
oners to escape, kidnapped negroes, and sold them south; 
aided and stimulated the burning of Union warehouses, 
transports, etc., etc. In all these iniquitous transactions his 
wife assisted to the best of her ability, and the two were 
in communication with all the principal rebels in Louis- 
ville and south of the Union lines. In all these opera- 
tions. Newcomer soon succeeded in making him commit 
himself before other detectives, whom he had introduced 
as ofiicers of Ashby's cavalry, paroled rebel prisoners, 
Wheeler's spies, etc., etc., and when the proof was com- 
plete, caused the arrest of Dr. and Mrs. Hudson, and 
several of their accomplices. On examination, there 
were found at his house large quantities of contraband 
goods, including numerous pistols (revolvers), muskets, 
rifles, ballets, and shot, domestic and woollen goods, 
morphine and quinine, of the latter, ninety-nine ounces. 
Ai*«r imprisonment and trial, the Dr. and his wife were 



100 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

seul south beyond the lines, and their property contii* 
cated. 

Newcomer was subsequently employed in ferreting 
out otner cases of a similar character, of which there 
were great numbers in Louisville and Nashville. In one 
of these he detected one Trainer, a wagon master in the 
Union army, and his wife, who were engaged in render- 
ing all possible aid and comfort to the rebels, by smug- 
gling supplies, and placing the trains of the Union arm^ 
in dangerous positions, and caused their arrest, as well 
as that of several of their accomplices. From these 
adroit smugglers was taken about five thousand fivt 
hundred dollars' worth of quinine, morphine, and opium, 
and in consequence of the discoveries made, two drug 
stores, a wholesale and a retail store, were seized with 
their contents, to the value of about seventy -five thou- 
sand dollars more. 

Through his efibrts, and those of other detectives ii. 
the employ of the army police, the extensive smuggling 
which had been carried on by rebel emissaries in Nash- 
ville and Louisville was rendered so dangerous that most 
of it was abandoned. 



PAULINE CUSHMAN, 

THB OELBBEATED UNION SPY AND SCOUT OF THE AEMY OF THlI 

CUMBERLAND. 

Among the wild and dashing exploits which hav^e sig- 
nalized the recent war — rivalling in heroic and dramatic 
interest the most famous achievements of the earlier days 
of chivalry — few are more striking or picturesque thar 
the simple narrative of facts which we are about to relate. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 101 

Miss Pauline Cushman, or '' Major" Cushman, as she 
is, by right, most generally called, was born in the city 
of New Orleans, on the 10th day of June, 1833, her 
father being a Spaniard, a native of Madrid, and a pros- 
perous merchant of the Crescent city, and her mother a 
French woman of excellent social position and attain- 
ments. In course of time, her father met with losses 
which followed one another in rapid succession, and 
unable to stay the tide of adversity, after a brave but 
unavailing struggle, he abandoned his enterprises in 
New Orleans, and removed with his family to Grand 
Rapids, Michigan. This town was at that time little more 
than a frontier settlement, and opening an establishment 
for the purposes of trade with the neighboring Indians, 
he soon found himself in active and successful business. 
Pauline, meanwhile, the only girl in a family of six 
brothers, had arrived at the age of ten years, and was 
growing in beauty and intelligence. The circumstances 
which surrounded her domestic life, however, somewhat 
clouded the joy of the young girl's earlier years. Her 
father's rigid nature and strong passions ill matched 
with her mother's gentle and retiring temperament, and 
she was therefore sometimes compelled to witness scenes 
of domestic discord, which made home far less desirable 
than it should have been. Fortunately, however, hei 
natural inclinations led her mostly to indulge in out-door 
sports, and she was thus enabled to disperse in the sun 
shine of forgetfulness the oppressive gloom which too 
frequently clouded their little home circle. And, more 
than that, amid the plains, the varied scenes of frontier 
life, and the wild compan ms that surrounded her in 
her new western home, she insensibly laid the founda- 



102 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

tion of that physical strength and beauty, and that 
courageous spirit, which has since distinguished her 
every action. In her father's store, little Pauline 
became acquainted with the most noted " braves" of the 
neighboring Indian tribes, and by her kindly attentions 
to their wants, and her many innocent, childish ways, 
completely gained their confidence and good-will, as was 
manifested by the poetic appellation, " Laughing Breeze," 
which they bestowed upon her. As time passed, she 
grew up as straight as an arrow, and beautiful as a 
prairie rose. None could use the rifle more dexterously 
than she ; none could excel her — whether coursing the 
broad plains, mounted on the back of a half-tamed steed, 
without saddle or bridle, or stemming the fierce moun- 
tain currents in her light canoe — while few among the 
dusky natives of the region could wing an arrow with 
greater certainty than this pale-faced maiden. But 
gradually civihzation in his westward march reached 
and revolutionized the frontier town where she dwelt. 
And with the novelties and luxuries, the inventions and 
improvements, which came from the far eastern cities — 
from New York, Philadelphia, etc. — came also wonder- 
ful reports of the fascinations and delights of life to be 
found there. Exaggerated by distance, and by her own 
bright imagination, which pictured all things couleur de 
rose, these glowing descriptions awakened in Pauline's 
breast the most intense desire to see and participate in 
their realities. And, ere long, we find her in New York, 
waiting for an opportunity to take her first step in the 
reed life of which, on the far off" prairies, she had so often 
dreamed. The opportunity was nearer than she thought, 
for soon she fell ir with Mr. Thomas Placide, managej 



NARRATIYES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 103 

of the New Orleans '' Varieties," who, struck by hei 
handsome face and figure, at once proposed that she 
should enter into an engagement with him, and appear 
at his theatre. She accepted the proposition, and, in 
due time, made her debut upon the boards of the " Varie- 
ties," inspiring in the hearts of the impressible people of 
New Orleans an admiration which partook of the nature 
of a furor. Gifted with rare natural gifts of mind and 
body, she soon became widely known as one of the first 
of American actresses. It was not, however, until the 
spring of March, 1863, that Miss Cushman exchanged 
the role of the actress for the real acting of a noble and 
patriot woman, risking her life in solemn and terrible 
earnestness for her country's good. 

She was, at that time, playing at Mozart Hall, or 
" Wood's Theatre," in Louisville, Ky., then the head- 
quarters of the rebel sympathizers of the southwest; 
and, although under Union rule, these gentry had be- 
come so emboldened, from long continued success, as to 
almost set the Federal authorities at defiance. At the 
house where Miss Cushman boarded, she was unavoida- 
bly thrown into the company of many of these disloya 
persons; and among her acquaintances she numbered 
two paroled rebel officers. Colonel Spear, and Captain 
J. H. Blincoe, whom, apart from all political considera- 
tions, she had admitted to a certain degree of friendship. 
She was at that time acting the part of Plutella, in the 
" Seven Sisters," and every one who has seen this widely 
popular play, will remember that Plutella has to assume, 
during the course of the piece, many characters — at one 
time a dashing Zouave officer, at another, a fine gentle 
man of fashion, and in this last character is supposed to 



104 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. 

drink wine with a friend. One afternoon, while receiv- 
ing a call from these two rebel officers, and talking over 
the play, they suddenly proposed to her to ''drink a 
Southern toast in the evening, and see what effect it 
will have upon the audience." In surprise, she ex- 
claimed, " But I should be locked up in jail, if I were to 
attempt any thing of that kind." They, however, scouted 
the idea, and finally offered her three hundred dollars in 
greenbacks, if she would do it. Stifling her indignation 
at the base proposal, she pretended to assent, and asked 
merely for a little time to think it over. The gentle- 
men left to prepare matters for the expected surprise ; 
but no sooner were they fairly out of sight, than with 
cheeks burning and eyes flashing, the actress pro- 
ceeded to the office of Colonel Moore, the United States 
Provost^Marshal, with whom she had a slight acquaint- 
ance, and to whom she related the whole affair. He 
quietly and kindly heard her story, and then, thanking 
her for her confidence, coolly advised her to carry out 
the programme of her rebel advisers, and drink the 
toast, as proposed, at the theatre that evening. Her 
amazement at this may be better imagined than de- 
scribed ; but the colonel finally overcame her scruples, 
giving her to understand that she could render her coun- 
try a true service by following his advice, and promising 
that he would himself be present at the theatre. "Fear 
not," he said; " it is for a deeper reason than you think, 
that I beg you to do this thing. Good may come of it, 
to your country, that you know not of." To the view 
of her duty, as thus presented, she patriotically yielded 
her assent, and returned to her lodgings to prepare for 
the new role which she was to act, and to get ready foi 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 105 

the momentous event of the evening. It was enough 
for her to know that good to her country was to flow 
from her apparently treasonable act, and that some de- 
sign, of which she was yet unconscious, was concealed 
beneath it. The afternoon was well improved by her 
rebel friends in publishing abroad in the " secesh" circles 
of the city, that something rich was to come off that 
evening at the theatre. It seemed to our heroine thai 
the afternoon would never wear away ; and yet, as the 
hour approached, her heart beat fast at the thought ^hat 
the momentous moment was hastening on. At last the 
hour arrived for her to set out to the theatre. No sooner 
had she stepped within the building, than she saw that 
it was literally packed. Not even standing room wafe 
to be had for love or money. Every rebel sympathizer 
in town had heard of it, and all were there. The time 
approached for the play to begin. The musicians in the 
orchestra tuned their big fiddles in their usual myste- 
rious manner. Ushers began to call out the numbers ol 
seats, and to slam the doors in their wonted style. The 
" call-boy" flew here and there, and at last, in obedience 
to the prompter's bell, the curtain began to rise, discov- 
ering Mr. Pluto at breakfast, within the shades of Hades. 
There was, however, a veritable Pluto to burst upon 
them, that they wot not of. This was coming. In the 
meantime, the jokes and mirth of the ^' Seven Sisters" 
were more than ordinarily relished. It may have been 
that those in the secret were so dehghted at the pros 
pect of seeing the Federal authorities thus wantonly in- 
sulted, that they greeted every thing with rapture, and 
that this became contagious among the good Union 
people of the house, who ^f course, were ignorant of the 



106 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

joke. At length the critical moment arrived, and aa- 
rancing in her theatrical costume to the foot lights, our 
heroine, goblet iii nand, gave, in a clear, ringing voice, 
the following ^oast : 

" HEEB's to JEFF. DAVIS AND THE SOUTHERN OONFEDERAOT MAI 
THE SOUTH ALWAYS MAINTAIN HER HONOR AND HER RIQHTB I" 

Miss Cushman had prepared herself for a fearful out- 
break of popular opinion, but for a moment even the 
hearts of the audience seemed to stop beating. Then, 
however, it burst forth, and such a scene followed as 
beggars description. The good Union portion of the 
audience had set, at first, spell-bound and horrified by the 
fearful treason thus outspoken, while the " secesh " 
were frozen with the audacity of the act, though con- 
scious that it was to occur. But then came the mingled 
storm of applause and condemnation. Fierce and tu- 
multuous it raged, until it seemed as though it would 
never stop. Nor was the scene behind the scenes less 
intense. The manager, rushing up to our heroine, de- 
manded, in his most tragic tone, " what she meant by 
such conduct ;" while the rest of the professional gentle- 
men and ladies avoided her as though she had suddenly 
been stricken with some fearfully contagious disease. 
The brave girl, however, had her cue, and boldly avowed 
that she "wasn't afraid of the whole Yankee crew, and 
would do it again." In short, she carried out her part 
so well, that no one doubted for a moment that she was 
a most virulent secessionist. Before she had left the 
theatre, the guards arrived to arrest her ; but — out of 
respect to Mr. Wood, the proprietor of the theatre — 
they were deterred from actually executing their errand. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 107 

and it was arranged that she should report at head- 
quarters at ten o'clock the next mornuig. There she 
was welcomed in the private office in the kindest man- 
ner, and earnestly thanked by Colonel Moore, and his 
superior, General Boyle, for the capital manner in which 
she had carried out the pseudo-tTesLSonsible plan. She was 
now enlightened as to the design of the United States 
officers, who informed her that she must enter the 
secret service of the government. They also advised her 
to moderate her " secesh " proclivities in public, as if she 
had received a severe reprimand from General Boyle ; 
but, in private, to abuse the government, and say all the 
harm she could about it ; by which means she would in- 
spire confidence among the disaffected, and would be of 
incalculable use to the national cause. Promising a 
ready and strict compliance with these requests, she re- 
turned to her lodgings, where she found a note awaiting 
her from the management of the theatre, discharging 
her from her engagement there. 

Thrown afresh, as it were, upon the world. Miss Cush- 
man now found herself in a most peculiar and embarrass- 
ing position. Shunned by her former friends as bearing 
the brand of disloyalty — slighted — jeered at — flung by 
the force of her own act upon the sympathies and com- 
panionship of a cowardly crew of rebel sympathizers, 
from whose treason her very nature revolted, her situa- 
tion was one of peculiar hardship and disagreeableness. 
She was sustained, however, by the thought that she 
was sacrificing her own prospects and feelings for her 
country's good. The work before her was full of dan- 
ger, excitement, and importance. Louisville, at thin 
time, was ur_dermined by disloyal sentiments and trea- 



i08 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS. AND DETECTIVES. 

soiiable plots. Every expedient that human and 
disloyal ingenuity could devise to annoy and harass the 
loyal Union people of that section, or to cripple the 
power and operations of the government, was resorted 
to with malignant delight — even by wealthy and well 
known citizens of Louisville. Many of these plots Miss 
Cushman was the means of bringing to light and to 
punishment ; and, in so doing, had to assume various 
disguises, mingling with every class of people, from the 
cui^throats of the low groggeries to the best circles of 
" secesh " society. Her most dangerous service, how- 
ever, was scouting in search of guerillas, to accomplish 
which, she was frequently compelled to don male attire 
and to remain in the saddle all night ; and many and 
varied were the strange adventures which she met with. 
But her coolness, her energy, and patriotism carried her 
successfully through these experiences, and God's special 
providence seemed always to be with her. The most 
important service, however, which she rendered her 
country while in Louisville, was the detection of her 
landlady in the act of mixing up poison in the coffee of 
a number of sick and wounded Union soldiers, who had 
been quartered upon her. She managed to play th<= 
" sympathizer " until she had gained a full knowledge 
of the plan, and then secretly informed the United 
States authorities, by whom the poor soldiers were re- 
moved in time from the fate which awaited them, and 
the fiend-woman was treated to her deserved punish- 
ment. 

At another time, personating the somewhat notorious 
George N. Sanders, purporting to have just returned 
from Europe with highl; important despatches, con- 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 109 

cerning the recognition of the Confederacy, etc., and also 
a certain Captain Denver, alias Conklin, Miss Cushman 
most successfully ''gammoned" some of the leading seces- 
sionists of Louisville, especially a Mrs. Ford, and placed 
a very effectual embargo on a large amount of quinine, 
morphine, and other medicines, which were in transit to 
the rebel army. 

In course of time, Mr. J. R. Allen, of the new thea- 
tre of Nashville, Tenn., arrived at Louisville, engaged 
in looking up a good company of actors, and meeting 
with Mr. Wood of the Louisville theatre, was recom- 
mended to secure Miss Cushman. " She is a good look- 
ing woman, and an accomplished actress, but she will 
talk 'secesh.' If you can only keep her out of the 
provost-marshal's hands, you will make a good thing, 
for she will be popular at once," said Mr. Wood. So 
the proposition was made to Pauline, and, after advising 
with the military authorities, under whose guidance she 
was acting, she determined to accept it. Of course, in 
order to maintain her assumed part, the authorities had 
to refuse her a " pass," and her only way, therefore, 
to get out of Louisville, was to '' run the blockade." 
Proceeding, at the appointed time, to the cars, she got a 
'' secesh" gentleman, going to Nashville, to attend to her 
trunk ; then she requested leave of the guard, at the door 
of the car, to speak to a friend inside, "only for one 
minute." Her woman's face prevailed, he let her pass, 
and she took pains to stay within the car. When the 
officer c)f the guard came around to inspect the passes, 
she had a " made up story" all ready, at the same time 
showing her order from Mr. Allen to report herself im- 
naediately at his theatre. He hesitated, but her pleasing 



110 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

face and a few womanly tears carried the point, and out 
heroine was soon on her way to Nashville, at that time 
the base of operations of the glorious Army of the 
Southwest. 

On her arrival at Nashville, she met with a warm recep- 
tion from '^Secessia," who were brimful of congratulate' one 
at her escape from the Federal power at Louisville, and 
of exultation at her having got away from that place with- 
out even securing a "pass" or taking the oath of allegiance. 
In her character of actress she soon became exceedingly 
popular, but her stay at the theatre was a short one : 
for, on her return from rehearsal one day, she found a 
summons from Colonel Truesdail, the chief of the army 
police of Nashville. On entering his office, she was re- 
ceived by him politely but distantly, as due to a stranger ; 
but, no sooner had he dismissed his clerks, than his 
whole manner changed to one of cordiality. After com 
plimenting her for her previous important services to the 
country, he informed her that he had selected her for a 
duty that would not only require the greatest discretion, 
constancy, and quickness of perception which she could 
command, but which was one of extraordinary peril — 
an undertaking which might end in glory, or in an igno- 
minious death by the bullet, or by the rope ! At these 
words she involuntarily shrank back, but yet she an- 
swered in a firm tone : 

'^ Colonel Truesdail, hundreds, aye, thousands of our 
Doble soldiers, each one of greater service to our country 
than my poor self, have gladly given up their lives in 
her cause. Should I hesitate to do as much ? No ; I 
will do all that a woman should do, and all that a man 
lare do, for my country and the Union 1" 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. Ill 

Charmed with the noble heroism which breathed in 
these words, the colonel proceeded to reveal the service 
for which she was to be detailed, and to give her the 
necessary instructions. The duty which was required 
of her, was to secretly visit the rebel General Bragg's 
headquarters, an enterprise at that time of the greatest im- 
portance, and one upon which the whole fate of the Union 
cause seemed to depend. First, she was to be sent out 
of the lines, in company with many other rebel women 
who were being sent South, in obedience to a late order 
of General Mitchell. To this very natural reason, she 
added another, i. e., that she had a brother, A. A. Cush- 
man, who was a colonel somewhere in the rebel army, 
and a professed anxiety to find him afforded a very 
clever ostensible reason for her travelling from headquar- 
ters to headquarters, and from place to place through 
the South. She was then instructed to make no con- 
fidants; not to talk too much; to make the same 
answers to all parties, and never to deviate from the 
story, when once framed. The search for her brothei 
was to be the free and confessed object of her travelf* 
and under this pretence she was to visit the rebej 
armies at Columbia, Shelbyville, Wartrace, TuUahoma, 
and Manchester. She was to make no direct m- 
quiries of officers or others concerning the strength of 
the Confederate forces, movements, suppUes, etc., but, 
in accepting the offers to ride and other attentions 
which her personal attractions would probably secure 
her from officers, she was to keep her eyes open, and 
note every thing of importance which she might see. In 
the hospitals, she was to make such observations as she 
could, concerning the medical and hospital supplies, the 



L12 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

number of sick and wounded soldiers, etc. But she wag 
especially advised not, on any account, to make any 
memorandum or tracings of any kind ; only keeping a 
brief memoranda of the houses at which she stopped, 
amount of bill, and date, which being so customary as 
uot to excite suspicion, would yet serve to refresh the 
memory on certain points. The Oath of Fidelity to the 
United States was then solemnly administered to Miss 
Cushman ; the gallant colonel presented to her a hand- 
some " six-shooter," and on a glorious May morning, 
under the pretended surveillance of an officer, she was 
conveyed beyond the lines as a disloyal woman. 
Arrived at a point some three miles distant from Nash- 
ville, out of sight of any human habitation, the carriage 
stopped, and Miss Cushman found awaiting her a fine 
bay horse, fully csiparisoned, which she mounted, and 
bidding farewell to her military escort, she galloped 
gayly down the Hardin pike, followed by the good 
wishes of the few who knew her real character and 
purpose. 

The close of her first day's journey brought her to the 
Big Harpeth river, the bridge across which had been so 
injured by the rebels that it was impossible for any one 
to cross it, and in following a side path which seemed to 
lead to a ford. Miss Cushman came upon a nice looking 
dwelling house, where she stopped to inquire about the 
road. From the inmates she found that it would be im- 
possible to cross at present, at least without help ; and 
accordingly, the sympathies of the woman of the house 
having been fully enlisted by the story of the cruel treat- 
ment received by Miss Cushman from the Federal 
•luthorities of Nashville, she was alloweij' ^o spend the 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 113 

night there. In the morning, her host, Milam by name, 
who carried on a considerable business in smuggling 
goods and supplies out of Nashville for the benefit of his 
rebel friends across the river, purchased her horse and 
equipments, giving her confederate funds therefore and 
hired her a buggy and driver under whose care she set 
forth in the direction of Columbia. Through dreary 
woods and terrible roads and a drenching rain the} 
pursued their way, finally arriving at her destination, 
where she was, fortunately for her strength, compelled to 
wait, for three days, the re-opening of the railroad to 
Shelbyville, which had been destroyed by the Union 
troops. While here, she met with much sympathy from 
the rebels, to whom she appeared in the character of an 
abused woman, seeking for her brother, an officer in 
the* army ; and she also had to pass the scrutiny of more 
experienced judges — officers, and others high in official 
rank. But she bore the test, and in turn made the most 
suspicious her most useful tools. Columbia proved a 
rich field to our heroine, who made many friends and 
accumulated much valuable acquaintance while there. 
Soon she went to Shelbyville, from whence she found, 
much to her annoyance, that Bragg had removed his 
headquarters — and where she could not ascertain. But, 
ever alive to any opportunity that oflfered of doing good 
to her country, she acquired some valuable information 
which more than compensated her for the frustration of 
her original object in visiting Shelbyville. It chanced 
that she learned that at the same hotel table where she 
dined there sat a young officer of engineers, who was 
engaged in drawing important plans for the rebel gov- 
ernment. She immediately conceived the plan of 
8 



114 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

obtaining these plans, at whatever risk to herself, and 
to get back to the Federal lines, which she thought 
could be easily effected, and in time to be of the utmost 
service to her country. As an excuse for wishing to re- 
turn to the Federal lines, she would represent that 
having been hurriedly sent out of Nashville by the 
Federal officers, she had been compelled to leave all her 
theatrical wardrobe behind her in her flight, and now 
she was desirous of recovering it, so that she might be 
able to accept some engagement at some of the theatres 
throughout the country, and earn enough money to en- 
able her to pursue her journey in search of her brother. 
Luckily, as if to further her plans, about this time, she 
received the offer of an engagement from the manager 
of the Richmond theatre, which of course tallied exactly 
with her scheme. Her next move was to get acquainted 
with the young engineer officer, which was soon effected 
by a letter of safeguard given her by one of her Shelby- 
ville friends. Major Boone ; and soon, with her pretty 
woman's ways, she had won his entire confidence so 
completely, tiiat he even offered to give her letters of 
introduction to General Bragg. Calling upon him at 
his office, she was warmly welcomed, and finally excu- 
sing himself whilst he retired to an adjoining room to 
write the promised letters of introduction. Miss Cush- 
man found herself alone in the room with the much 
coveted plans and drawings. In the few moments which 
elapsed during his absence from the room, she contrived 
to slip the plans into her bosom, and when he returned, 
she received from him the letters and left him as unsus 
pecting and as pleasant as ever — unconscious of his 
loss. Shortly after she left Shelbyville on her way to 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 116 

Nashville; and, during a short halt, at a pla<;e called 
Wartrace, she undertook a scouting enterprise with the 
view of communicating valuable information to some of 
the roving bands of Union cavalry, who were almost 
daily engaged in skirmishing with the rebel cavalry. 
In carrying out this plan, her first requisite was, of 
course, a man's suit of clothes, and to get these she now 
set her wits to work. At the same hotel where she was 
stopping was a young man of about seventeen years ot 
age, whose clothes she thought would just fit her, but 
how to get them was the question. With only the 
knowledge that he slept in the upper story of the house, 
but provokingly ignorant of which room he occu' 
pied, she resolved to ''scout" around in the dark, and, 
" hit or miss," make a desperate attempt to secure the 
clothes. 

So after a series of adventures in the dark, which 
succeeded only in arousing nearly all the inmates of the 
several rooms on the corridor, our discomfited heroine, 
beating a hasty retreat from the discovery which now 
seemed inevitable, desperately tried the handle of a 
small door near at hand. To her great joy it yielded, 
and slipping hastily in, she found herself in a low, poorly' 
furnished chamber-in which lay sleeping the very man 
whose clothes she had been seeking. Luckily, the up- 
roar in the hall had not awakened him, and waiting tiU 
all wa^ quiet again, she grabbed the clothes and sped 
silently to her own room. Hastily dressing herself in 
the stolen suit, she crept softly down-stairs, past the 
sleeping negro boy in the hall, out to the stables, and 
there she speedily saddled one of the best horses which 
she could find, and pushed her way out of ihe town 



116 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

Into the woods ?he rode, and finally, when some three 
miles out of Wartrace, came suddenly upon a guerilla 
encampment, and was busily engaged in playing the 
eavesdropper to their camp-fire conversation when she 
unluckily stepped upon a brittle branch which snapped 
under her feet. Instantly they took the alarm, and she 
scarcely had time to mount her horse before they were 
m full chase after her. Gradually they gained upon her, 
when suddenly she found herself approaching, at full 
speed, a precipitous rock, at the foot of which meandered 
a small stream. It was impossible to check the head- 
long speed of her horse, and her pursuers were close upon 
her ; so, shutting her eyes, and striking the spurs deep 
into the animals flanks, she plunged down the mountain 
side. Her pursuers did not dare to follow, but standing 
at the top of the bluff, contented themselves with wing- 
ing their pistol bullets after her. Suddenly, just as she 
hoped that she was fairly escaped, one of her pursuers 
discovered a bridle path, and the chase recommenced. 
Pushmg hastily into the woods which lined the creek, 
she endeavored to regain the road to Wartrace, for she 
was now threatened with two dilemmas ; if daylight 
overtook her before she could get back to the hotel, her 
theft of the clothes and horse would be discovered ; and 
if taken by her pursuers she would inevitably be taken 
to Wartrace, it being the nearest town. On she rode, 
at full speed, until she found herself gaining upcn the 
rebel riders, and suddenly came upon a wounded Union 
cavalryman, scarce able to sit upon his horse, from the 
effects of a wound received while scouting, a few hours 
before. She at first mistook him for a " reb," but 
ascertaining the truth, a plan of escape flashed through 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 117 

her brain, and she quickly revealed to him her sex and 
name, and asked his aid. The brave fellow had heard 
of the - Woman scout of the Cumberland," and faint 
and wounded as he was, gladly and bravelv offered to 
carry out her plan at the risk of his hfe. firing her 
pistol into the air, she instructed the soldier to sly to 
the pursuing party, who would inevitably be drawn 
thither by the report, that he had been met and shot by 
a "reb." She told him that he could not expect, from 
his wcunds, to escape capture, and advised him to stir 
himself around so as to make his wound bleed afresh 
He obeyed, and let himself fall off his horse, while Miss 
Cushman gave the animal a sharp blow which sent him 
flymg down the road. When the rebel horsemen galloped 
up to the spot, they found the soldier lying at the foot 
of a tree, bleeding freely, and in a state of unconscious- 
ness from his sudden fall, while over him bent our hem- 
me, pistol in hand. To their surprised and hurried 
query who she was, she promptly replied: " I am a 
farmer's son, over near Wartrace, and I surrender to you • 
but I have shot your best fellow, here, and only wish I 
had shot more of ye." To their astonished looks and 
questions as to what he meant, she replied in the same 
bitter vein ; " I mean just what I say. I am only sorry 
that I didn't kill more of you darned Yankees, that 
comes down yhere and runs all our niggers off'" Com- 
pletely misled by her skilful acting, the rebels now saw 
that the boy had mistaken them for Yankees ; and on 
questioning the Yankee soldier, who was gradually re- 
novering from his faintness, the brave fellow, true to 
mstructions, designated the "farmer's boy," as the ne 
•^ho had si ot him, " because h. was a Yankee." It now 



118 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

became evident to the " rebs " that each party had 
mistaken the other for " Yanks ;" but for further precau- 
tion, Pauline was ordered to accompany them, and the 
wounded soldier was placed on a horse, and the party 
took up their march to Wartrace. This was a programme 
'lot at all agreeable to her, and as they rode along 
through the darkness of the forest, she conceived the id^'. 
of creating a " scare," hoping to avail herself of the cou 
fusion to get jff and make her escape to Wartrace before 
daylight should make it too late to escape detection as 
a thief So as they were passing through a narrow gorge 
of the road, thickly overshadowed by tall forest trees, 
— a nice place for an ambush — she managed to fall behind 
the party and become hidden by a bend in the road. 
Then taking out her revolver, she fired five shots in 
rapid succession. As she expected, her rebel companions 
were startled. Supposing themselves ambushed by Fed- 
eral cavalry, fear lent a thousand terrors to their minds, 
and their imaginations gave new echoes to the reports of 
the pistol. Away they went, pell-mell, and laughing 
heartily at the success of her " scare," Miss Cushman 
rapidly galloped to Wartrace, where she luckily succeed- 
ed in comfortably housing her steed and in returning the 
borrowed clothes, without detection — and, in due time, 
answered the summons of the breakfast bell, as rosy and 
fresh-faced, and as innocent in look and manner, as if 
the night had been spent comfortably in her bed. 

After several stirring adventures at Tullahoma, where 
she made a short stay, she returned to Columbia, where 
ehe remained awhile, engaged in picking up all the in- 
formation which it was possible to secure. Here, too, 
she met Ler friends (and lovers too, if truth were spoken), 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 119 

Major Boone, and Captain P. A. Blackman, rebel quarter- 
master, the latter of whom urged her to adopt man's 
apparel and join the Confederate army, with the promise 
of a position as his aide-de-camp, and the rank of lieu- 
tenant. This flattering proposition was accepted — the 
enamored captain forthwith ordered a complete rebel 
officer's uniform, and it was agreed that so soon as she 
should return from her proposed trip to Nashville, she 
phould accompany him as aide. Meanwhile, she was not 
slow to accept every invitation from him to ride over the 
neighboring country, thereby gaining that complete 
knowledge of camps, fortifications, and the paraphernalia 
of war, which was deemed essential to the new officer. 
It may here be noticed that Miss Cushman now departed 
from the strict instructions which she had received from 
her military superiors, not to make drawings, plans, etc., 
of fortifications ; and at Shelbyville and Tullahoma she 
made careful and accurate drawings, which she concealed 
between the inner and outer soles of her boot. This 
dereliction of duty, though intended for the best, proved 
the ultimate cause of the troubles and miseries which 
afterward befell her. On her return to the house at 
the crossing of the Big Harpeth river, in company with 
the same man who had brought her over before, he in- 
duced her to cross the bridge on foot, saying that the 
ford was impassable, owing to late rains. She did so, 
and instead of following by another ford, he incontinentlj 
disappeared, leaving her with but a small moiety of her 
baggage, some distance from her destination, and the 
night rapidly approaching. Indeed it was quite dark 
when she reached Milam's house, where she had spent 
th(» night and soli her horse before going to Columbia. 



120 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

Mrs. Milam, who had before been so cordial, was now 
evidently suspicious, and our heroine's comfort was not 
increased by her interview with the husband on the 
following morning. He informed her that her trunks 
which she had left at Nashville, had been seized by 
Colonel Truesdail, whereupon she made a great show of 
pretended indignation, declaring that she would go to 
Nashville, " if she had to walk all the way," and get 
them back ; and offering to buy back her horse. Un- 
fortunately, her host, who had made her a confidant of 
his treasonable plans and acts when she was his guest 
on the occasion of her going to Columbia, as he thought, 
permanently, was suspicious of her sudden return, and 
by no means inclined to injure his own prospects, by 
helping her to return to Nashville, where, if false to her 
assumed character, he knew she would '' post " the au- 
thorities concerning him. He therefore communicated 
with the nearest rebel scout post, and ere long she was 
placed under arrest, and transferred to Anderson's Mill, 
where she was disarmed and examined by the ofiicer in 
charge. Finding that she had no '' pass," she was held 
as a prisoner of war, until her case could be reported to 
and acted upon by General Bragg. Moreover, she was 
not allowed to return to the house at Big Harpeth where 
she had left a satchel containing her rebel uniform and 
several articles of pressing use and value. Fortunately 
she had come across her horse on the road to Anderson's 
Mill, at the house of one De Moss, and claiming him at 
once, had taken possession of him, and as night closed 
in, she found herself again on the road, still a prisoner. 
About noon the next day, her guide stopped with hei 
for refreshment at the house of a well-known physician, 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 121 

and while there, a large body of Confederate cavalry 
passed, under command of the famous General Morgan. 
His attention being called to Miss Cushman, he detailed 
her guard to another special duty, and took her under 
his own care and watch, and she enjoyed his gallant 
attentions until they reached Hillsboro, where she wa-^ 
handed over to another scout to be taken to General 
Forrest's headquarters. 

During the long ride which ensued she concocted 
another nice little scheme foi escape. Knowing that 
General Rosecrans was much dreaded by the rebels in 
that part of the country, who haidly knew where they 
might next expect an attack from him, she knew that 
if she could raise the cry, '' Old Rosy is coming," a gen- 
eral " skedaddle " would ensue, instanter. She felt sure, 
also, that she was not regarded as a very important 
political prisoner, and would probably be dropped imme- 
diately by her guards, in order to effect their own 
escape. Her horse, she noticed, stood still saddled in a 
small outhouse, and the storm which raged with much 
fury, was favorable to her project. Watching her oppor- 
tunity, therefore, she made friends with an aged negro 
man about the place, and gave him a ten dollar green- 
back if he would, at a proper time of night, run up 
the road a piece, and then back again, shouting as loud 
as he could, 'Hhe Yankees are coming!" Tho old ne- 
gro entered heartily into the plan, and carried it out 
successfully At the darkest hour of the stormy night, 
the whole "negro quarters" poured into the house 
where the guards and their prisoner were sleeping, and 
" the Yanks ! the Yanks am a-coming !" resounded from 
a do7,en thoroughly frightened throats. Sauve qui pent, 



122 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

was the word, the rebels fled incontinently, and oui 
heroine, flinging herself upon her horse, sped away on 
tbe road to Franklin. She had provided herself, some- 
tiow, with a pistol belonging to a wounded rebel soldier 
in a house where she had stopped; and pushing her 
way fearlessly along she reached and passed, with 
peculiar adroitness, five rebel pickets, but was finally 
foiled and obliged to turn back before the unswervable 
honesty of the last picket on the road, who would not 
allow her to pass him without the proper document. 
At a house near the road, where death had bereaved 
the family of an infant child, the tired girl found a 
refuge and shelter from storm and fatigue. 

She was awakened from her sound slumbers the next 
morning by the unwelcome appearance of four of the 
rebel scouts from whom she had escaped the night before, 
and who had tracked her all the way from Hillsboro. 
Although she pretended to be glad to see them and ex- 
plained her separation from them as the result of her 
fears of the '' Yanks," they were neither gulled nor 
mollified, but gruffly ordered her to accompany them 
back, without even taking the breakfast which her kind 
hostess pressed upon them. And soon she was in the 
saddle, and proceeding on her journey, under the care of 
her scouts, who evinced more than usual watchfulness 
ver her. She was first taken to General Morgan, who 
received her with his wonted courteousness, and he ac- 
companied her to General Forrest's headquarters. That 
celebrated chief, after a trying examination, sent her, 
under guard, to General Bragg. On arriving at Shelby- 
ville, she was shown at once to the general's headquar- 
U^rs. which were in the heart of the camp. On entering 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 123 

the was met by a small sized man, with small, dark gray 
eyes, iron gray hair and whiskers, and bronzed face. 
This was General Bragg. His manner was stern, but 
gentlemanly, and after glancing over the papers handed 
to him by her guide, he began : 

" Of what country are you a native. Miss Cushman ?" 
he asked, waving her to a chair with his hand. 

" I am an American, sir ; but of French and Spanish 
parentage," she answered. 

" And you were born where ?" he asked. 

'' In the city of New Orleans." 

" Hum !" ejaculated the general, doubtingly. " How 
comes it, then, that — that your pronunciation has the 
Yankee twang ?" 

" It comes, probably, from the fact that I am, profe& 
sionally, an actress," she answered promptly, '* and as I 
am in the habit of playing Yankee characters very fre- 
quently, it may be that I've caught the " twang " by it, 
and show it in my ordinary conversation, as well as on 
the stage." 

*'Hum!" growled the general again. "But what 
brought you down South ?" 

" I was not brought, sir ; I was sent," answered Pau- 
line, proudly. 

" By whom, may I ask. Miss Cushman ?" 

" By the Federal Colonel, Truesdail." 

"And why were you sent f" inquired Bragg, with a 
ely look of incredulity. 

" Because I gave warm utterance to my Southern 
feelings, and refused to take their oath of allegiance," 
replied our heroine, pretending to shed tears, " and a 
pretty way I'm paic" for it, too ' 



124 NAREATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

'^ Why wouldn't you take the oath ?" persisted Bragg, 
apparently untouched by her youth and beauty in tears 

" I had declared that I wouldn't take it, and I meant 
to stick to my word !" replied Pauline, stoutly. 

The general studied the expression of her counte- 
nance for a moment, and then continued. 

" What was the main charge that the Federals made 
against you ?" 

'' I had publicly drank to the success of the South 
and our Confederacy. It was on the stage of the Louis- 
ville theatre, and I did it at the request of two paroled 
Confederate officers, who, if they were now here, would 
tell you the same thing," and our heroine related the 
whole occurence of the toast, etc. 

'' Well, what happened then?" remarked the general. 

" I was at once discharged from the theatre, and went 
to Nashville, where I got a fresh engagement, only to be 
sent away in turn ; for Colonel Truesdail, the chief of the 
Federal army police, getting wind of my Southern sen- 
timents, and hearing of my drinking the toast wishing 
success to the South, immediately ordered me to leave 
the Federal jurisdiction, and wouldn't even allow me to 
take my trunk or theatrical wardrobe with me." 

The perfect coherence of her story, and her appa- 
rently calm and truthful manner was not without its 
effect upon the general, who after a brief pause, during 
which he carefully scrutinized her, resumed in a more 
kindly tone : 

" Miss Cushman, this statement of yours may be all 
correct, but still I should like to have you give some 
vomitive proof of your loyalty to our cause ; for, as it 
stLnds, I must say it appears, at best, very doubtful." 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 125 

•General," replied Pauline, pointedly, '^ I have been 
seized and bi-ought hither to meet charges laid against 
me, I presume ; but assuredly not to investigate and de- 
cide my own case. You cannot be expected to believe 
my statement; therefore, all I can say is, to produce 
your charges and the evidence, and when the examiner 
tion is over, I think that my loyalty to the South will 
shine with as bright and steady a lustre as does your 
own. After that, if you still doubt me, or if one sus- 
picion still lingers in your mind, give me a place near 
you in battle, and you will see that Pauline Cushman 
will fight as bravely and faithfully as any man in youi 
army." 

Half amused, and half convinced by this speech, the 
old soldier continued his searching examination, striving 
in every way to entrap and confuse her, and to elicit 
from her all the information which he could concerning 
the plans, movements, and operations of the Federal 
commanders. She, on the contrary, assumed an inno- 
cent appearance of ignorance on these points, although 
careful to speak the truth in whatever she did say. It 
was a keen contest of wit, and finally the general ter- 
minated the interview by saying, '' As for yourself. Miss 
Cushman, I have to tell you plainly, that there are very 
serious charges against you, and I must give you int<> 
the custody of our provost>marshal-general. Colonel 
McKinstry, who is, however, a very just and humane 
man, and who will treat you kindly. Your subsequent 
fate will depend entirely upon the result of our inves- 
tigation." 

" Colonel McKinstry is, then, precisely the man I de- 
sire to see for thro igh him will the proofs of my guilt. 



li56 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

leissness of these charges appear," rejoined Miss Cush 
man, boldly, " and if they are proved false, how then, 
general ?" 

'' You will be acquitted with honor," replied he. 

" How, though, if I am found guilty ?" 

"You know the penalty inflicted upon convicted 
i»pies. If found guilty, you will be hanged," replied 
the general, dryly. 

Leaving Bragg, she was taken before Colonel McKins- 
try and there subjected to another strict examination, 
in which she was interrogated concerning the manner in 
which she became possessed of the Confederate uniform 
found among her effects when captured. To this she 
answered frankly, although, to her annoyance, it caused 
the instant issue of an order for the arrest of the gallant 
captain who had procured it for her. But, finally, the 
colonel produced from his desk the plans, maps, and doc- 
uments which she had abstracted from the rebel engi- 
neer's table at Columbus, together with the sketches and 
memoranda that she had made, of various fortifications 
at Tullahoma, Shelbyville, Spring Hill, etc. Staggered 
almost to faintness by the sight of these tell-tale docu- 
ments which she had placed in the soles of her gaiters, 
and which had been purloined from her satchel, left in 
the hurried flight from Hillsboro, she yet assumed a light 
demeanor and admitted that she made the sketches. 
She stoutly asserted, however, with a laugh, that they 
were mere fancy sketches, " gotten up with the idea of 
stuffing the Yankees when she should find herself among 
them, so that she should be permitted to recover her 
theatrical wardrobe." The colonel, although surprised 
at her consummate and audacious acting, was too old a 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 127 

bird to be caught iti that way, and remanded her to 
custody. She was taken to the house of a Mr. Morgan, 
near Duck river, where she was carefully guarded in a 
room fitted up as a dungeon, with barred windows and 
doubly fastened doors. Hers was now a truly distressing 
and apparently hopeless case. Under the long protracted 
suspense as to her ultimate fate, added to the great 
privations and fatigues which she had previously gone 
through, she fell seriously ill ; and the discomforts of 
her situation— sick and helpless, surrounded by foes and 
strangers— can hardly be described by tongue or pen. 
Long, weary days she lay thus, at the very verge of 
death— the court-martial which had been appointed to 
investigate her case had not yet been able to agree upon 
a verdict, and imagination added its horrors to the dread 
reality of her situation. Ten days thus passed, with the 
dread of death in its most ignominious form, hanging, 
like the sword of Damocles, ever above her head. Finally, 
Captain Pedden brought to her the unwelcome news 
which he tenderly broke to her, that she had been found 
Guilty and that she was condemned to be hanged as a 

SPY. 

The situation of our heroine, mental and physical, 
was now deplorable in the extreme. Condemned to 
death upon the gallows, surrounded by foes, with her 
fate unknown, even to her friends, hers was indeed a 
position to shake the hearts of the strongest and firmest. 
Yet there was a small ray of hope that illumined the 
darkness of this dismal prospect, and that was that, as 
she was still confined to her bed by the deepest physical 
prostration, the rebels would scar ely drag her from there 
to tbf gallows; and there was a slight chance that. 



128 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

during the brief respite thus afforded, some change of 
the military situation might yet afford relief to her. She 
well knew that Shelbyville, where she then was, was 
the objective point of the Union army of the Southwest, 
and they might reach there in time to save her from her 
horrid fate. Yet the chances which were thus suggested, 
were too slight to encourage our heroine, who had made 
up her mind heroically to meet her fate; and she met 
her fearful situation with an angelic courage and sweet- 
ness which won the love of the few friends whom she 
had drawn to her during her imprisonment. 

Slowly and surely the Union army advanced on its 
glorious career, and soon Miss Cushman's guards and the 
Confederate army generally, began to show evident 
signs of evacuating Shelbyville. Finally it was decided 
by a council of war to retreat, and what a thrill of mingled 
hope and joy ran through Miss Cushman's veins as her 
friends announced to her that she would have to be left 
behind, as she was too weak to be moved. Before leav- 
ing the town, however, she was removed to a more com- 
fortable house, and left in the hands of an excellent 
physician, who was Union at heart. At length it was 
rumoied that a large body of Federals was just outside 
the town : then followed the battle of Shelbyville, and 
ere long the streets of that town echoed to the tread of 
the Union army and the peal of its bugles. It was a 
moment of supremest joy and ecstacy to the wan and 
feeble girl, who felt new life surging through every vein, 
and springing from her bed, she staggered to the oper 
window, despite the remonstrances of her kind hostess 
A.8 the blessed certainty came upon her, that the Union 
la^ once more waved ov* r the town, and that she wa* 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 12!> 

»^A the fictitious strength which excitement had lent her 
gave way to weakness, and she sank to the floor, over- 
come by joy and happiness. Ere the close of that happy 
day, Generals Granger and Mitchell called upon her and 
expressed the liveliest interest in her situation ; the 
brave soldiers heard of the noble woman whom they had 
thus opportunely saved from a terrible death, and, on 
every hand, she received the most tender and convincing 
tokens of the general esteem in which she was held. 

At eleven o'clock the next morning, in the general's 
own ambulance, well stocked with all the comforts and 
necessaries which the generosity and courtesy of her new 
friends could suggest, she left ShelbyviUe m rmite to 
Murfreesboro. There a day and a night's rest enabled 
her to take the cars to Nashville ; and under the care 
of an officer of General Granger's staff, who had himself 
done her the honor of attending her thus far, she begati 
her return journey to that city. On her arrival thero, 
she was waited upon by the most distinguish^ generals 
of the army, and by others less prominent— all of whom, 
however, were united in treating her with a delicate and 
even affectionate courtesy, which left her no comfort to 
be desired but the boon of absolute health. As a deserved 
and appropriate acknowledgment of the great serviced 
which this brave girl had rendered the Union cause, she 
was, through the efforts of Generals Granger and Gai^ 
field, honored with the commission and rank of a major 
of cavalry, with full and special permission to wear the 
equipment and insignia of her new rank. The ^.adies of 
Nashville, hearing of her promotion, and deeply sensible 
of the honor thus conferred upon one of their own sex, 
prepared a costlv riding-habit, trimmed in miUtary style! 



/ 



iSO NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

with dainty shoulder-straps, and presented the dress ti. 
the gallant major with all the customary honors. 



Amusing Instance of Rebel Desertion. — After the 
recent advance of our army upon Bragg at Tullahoma, 
And his retreat, the Pioneer Brigade pushed on to Elk 
river to repair a bridge. While one of its men, a private, 
was bathing in the river, five of Bragg's soldiers, guns 
in hand, came to the bank and took aim at the swimmer, 
one of them shouting : 

"Come in here, you Yank, out of the wet!" 

The Federal was quite sure that he was " done for," 
and at once obeyed the order. After dressing himself, 
he was thus accosted : 

" You surrender, our prisoner, do you ?" 

" Yes ; of course I do." 

' That's kind. Now we'll surrender to you !" And 
•he five stacked arms before him, their spokesman 
Adding — 

•• We've done with 'em, and have said to old Bragg, 
• good-by !' Secesh is played out. Now you surround 
us and take us into your camp." 

This was done accordingly, and is but one of hundreds 
ol instances of wholesale desertion coming to the know- 
ledge of our officers during two months- -July and 
August — in Lower Tennessee. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DEThCT[VES. 131 

KELLER OR KILLDARE. 

ONI OF THE SCOUTS OF THE AEMY OF THE CUMBL,Ri*AND. 

Keller, or as he was usually called in the Army .>( 
the Cumberland, Killdare, was of German, and per 
haps Jewish extraction, and during the first eighieen 
months of the war had been concerned with Besthoff, and 
three Jews by the names of Friedenburg, in smuggling 
goods into rebeldom, but being arrested in connection 
with them, it appeared that he had not been as guilty as 
the others, and that what he had done had been rather 
to support his family than from a desire to aid the 
rebels. He was therefore released, and being offered an 
appointment as scout in the Union service, he accepted 
it and was of great service to the Union cause. 

In March 1863, he left Nashville on horseback, with 
a small stock of goods, not exceeding one hundred dol- 
lars in value, with the intention of making his way int<j 
and through a certain portion of the Confederacy. 
Swimming his horse across Harpeth creek, and crossing 
with his goods in a canoe, he journeyed on, and passed 
the night at a house about six miles beyond Columbia, 
having previously fallen in with some of Forrest's men 
going to Columbia. The next morning he started for 
Shelby ville, where he arrived in due season. The oc- 
currences there and in the subsequent portions of the 
trip are best related in his own words : 

" When I arrived, I could find stabling but no feed 
for my horse. I put the animal in the kitchen of a 
house, and gave a boy five dollars to get me a half 
bushel of corn, there being none in th^ town. I sold 



132 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

the little stock of goods to the firm of James Carr & Co., 
of Nashville, who gave me eight hundred dollars foi* 
the lot, and then weiit to visit General Frank Cheatham, 
General Manej, and General Bates, whom I saw at the 
house where I stopped. At the headquarters of General 

Cheatham, Colonel A- arrived from the front, a^^ 

stated in my presence that the whole Federal line had 
fallen back; and I Turther understood from the generals 

present and Colonel A that there would be no fight 

at Shelby ville. They said that probably there would 
be some skirmishing by the Federals, but that the battle 
would be fought at Tullahoma, and they had not more 
than one corps at Shelbyville, which was under General 
Polk. 

" Forage and provisions for man and beast it is utterly 
impossible to obtain in the vicinity of Shelbyville. The 
forage trains go as far as Lewisport, in Giles county, 
and the forage is then shipped to Tullahoma, and even 
farther back, for safe keeping — as far as Bridgeport. 
Confederate money is two for one of Georgia; Tennes- 
see, two and one half for one. 

" I next went to Tullahoma ; and there I met on the 
cars a major on Bragg's staff, and scraped an acquaint- 
ance through the introduction of a Nashville gentleman. 
When we arrived within a few miles of Tullahoma, he 
made a short statement to me, called me to the plat- 
form, and pointed out the rifle-pits and breastworks, 
which extended on each side of the railroad about a 
mile, in not quite a right angle. The whole force of 
Bragg's army is composed of fifty-five thousand men, 
well disciplined; twenty thousand of them are cavalry. 
When I left Tullahoma, I could not buy meat nor bread. 



NAKRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 138 

When I arrived at Chattanooga, I gave a nigger on« 
dollar for a drink of whiskey, one dollar for a small 
cake, and fifty cents for two eggs, which I took for sub- 
gistence, and started for Atlanta. I met, going thitheiv 
ward, a good many acquaintances on the trains. When 
I arrived at Atlanta, I found a perfect panic in 
money matters. Georgia money was at seventy-five 
cents premium, and going up ; gold, four and five dollars 
for one. I remained at Atlanta three days. Full one 
half of those I met were from Nashville ; they were 
glad to see me. 

" I commenced my return to Tullahoma with a cap- 
tain from Nashville, who also showed me the rifle-pits, 
as I before stated. I made my way on to Shelbyville, 
and then I got a pass from the provost-marshal — a 
Major Hawkins — to Columbia, where I arrived on Sun- 
day morning. There I found Forrest and his command 
had crossed Duck river on their way to Franklin. As 
I started from the Nelson hotel to the provost-marshal's 
office, I was arrested on the square as a straggling 
soldier ; but I proved myself the contrary, and started 
without a pass to Williamsport. There some fool asked 
me if I had a pass. I told him 'yes,' and showed him 
the pass I had from Shelbyville to Columbia and the 
documents I had in my possession, which he could not 
read. I gave the ferryman a five dollar piece to take 
me across the river, and he vouched for my pass — when 
I safely arrived at the Federal pickets." 

About a month after this, Killdare made another, and 
his last trip, the full report of which is subjoined. It 
will be seen that he was watched and several times 
arrested. Though he finally escaped, hib usefulness as 



134 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

a spy was totally destroyed, his name, appearance, and 
business having been betrayed to the enemy. He has 
consequently retired from the business. On his return, 
he made the following report : 

" I left the city of Nashville on Tuesday, the 14th 
instant, to go South, taking with me a few goods to ped- 
dle. I passed down the Charlotte pike, and travelled 
two miles up the Richland creek, then crossed over to 
the Hardin pike, following that road to Harpeth creek, 
and crossed below De Morse's mill. At the mill I met 

De Morse, who said to me, ' Killdare, do you make 

another trip?' I replied, 'I do not know.' De Morse 
then said, ' if you get below the meeting-house you are 
saved,' and smiled. I proceeded on my way until I 
came to a blacksmith shop on the pike, at which a gen- 
tleman by the name of Marlin came out and asked if I 
had heard any thing of Sanford being killed on the even- 
ing of the 13th instant. I told Marlin I did not know 
any thing about it, and proceeded on to South Harper 
to Squire Allison's, which is seventeen miles from Nash- 
ville. I then fed my mules, stopped about one hour, 
and proceeded across South Harper toward Williamsport. 

" About one mile the other side of South Harper, two 
rebel scouts came galloping up, and asked me what I had 
for sale. I told them needles, pins, and playing-cards. 
They then inquired, 'have you any papers to go South?' 
I replidti 1 had, and showed them some recommenda- 
tions. They asked me to get down from my carryall, 
as they wanted to talk with me. This I did ; and they 
then asked : 

" ' Have you any pistols ?' 

'' ' No,' I replied. 

" Stepping back a few paces, and each drawing a 

pistol, one of them said, ' you scoundrel, you are 

our prisoner; you are a Yankee spy, and you carry let- 
ters from the South, and at the dead hour of night 
you carry these letters to Truesdail's office. We lost a 
very valuable man on Monday while attempting to ar- 



NARRATIYES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 135 

"est you at your house ; his name was Sanford, and he 
^■as a great deal thought of by General Van Dorn. So 

.low we've got you, you, turn your wagon round 

and go back.' 

" We turned and went to Squire Allison's again, at 
which place I met Dr. Morton, from Nashville, whom I 
requested to assist in getting me released. Dr. Morton 
spoke to the men, who, in reply, said, ' we have orders 
to arrest him as a spy, for carrying letters to Truesdail's 
headquarters.' They then turned back to South Har 
per creek, and took me up the creek about one mile, 
where we met about eight more of these scouts and Col 
onel McNairy, of Nashville, who was riding along in a 
buggy. The lieutenant in command of the squad wrote 
a despatch to Van Dorn, and gave it to one of the men, 
by the name of Thompson, who had me in custody, 
and we then proceeded up the creek to Spring Hill, 
toward the headquarters of General Van Dorn. About 
six miles up the creek, Thompson learned I had some 
whiskey, which I gave him, and of which he drank un- 
til he got pretty well intoxicated. In the neighborhood 
of Ivy we stopped until about six o'clock in the evening. 
About one mile from Ivy the wheel of my carryall broke. 
A neighbor came to us with an axe and put a pole un- 
der the axletree, and we proceeded on our way. We 
had gone but a few hundred yards when the wagon 
turned over ; we righted it, and Thompson took a car- 
petrsack full of goods, filled his pockets, and then told 
me ' to go to : he would not take me to headquar- 
ters.' Changing his mind, however, he said he would, 
as he had orders so to do, and showed me the despatch 
written by Lieutenant Johnston to General Van Dorn. 
It read as follows : 

" 'I have succeeded in capturing Mr. Killdare. 
Archy Cheatham, of Nashville, says Killdare is not 
loyal to the Confederacy. The Federals have mounted 
five hundred light infantry. Sanford's being killed is 
confirmed. (Signed) 

" ' TjEUT. Johnston.' 



l36 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

" Thompson, being very drunk, left me, taking the 
goods he stole. Two citizens came up shortly and told 
me to turn round, and stop all night at Isaac Ivy's, l»t 
District, Williamson county. There we took the re- 
mainder of the goods into the house. At three o'clock 
in the morning a negro woman came and knocked at the 
door. 

" Mr. Ivy says, * what do you want ?' 

" *A soldier is down at the creek, and wants to know 
where his prisoner is,' was the reply. 

" * What has he done with the goods he took from 
that man ?' 

" * He has left them at our house, and has just started 
up the creek as I came up.' 

" ' That will do. Go on.' 

" I was awake, and tried to make my escape, asking 
Mr. Ivy if he had a couple of saddles to loan me. He 
said he had ; and I borrowed from him seven dollars, as 
Thompson took all my money (fifty dollars in Georgia 
currency.) He (Ivy) then told me the route I should 
take — going a few miles toward Franklin, and then turn 
toward my home in Nashville. Taking Ivy's advice, 
we proceeded on our way toward Franklin. About 
eight miles from Franklin, four guerillas came up to me 
and fired two pistols. ^ Halt !' said they ; ' you want to 
make your way to the Yankees. We have a notion 
to kill you, any way/ 

" They then ordered me to turn, which I did, — 
two going behind whipping the mules, and hooting 
and hallooing at a great rate. We then turned back 
to Ivy's. When we got there, I said : 

" Where is Thompson, my guard, who told me to 
go on ?' 

"'He was here early this morning, and has gone 
up the hill hunting you, after borrowing my shot gun,* 
was the answer. 

" Some conversation ensued between the parties, 
when Ivy wrote a note to General Van Dorn and gave 
it to Thompson. Ivy then gave us our equipage, and 
we went toward Spring Hill On the way we met, on 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 13T 

Carter's Creek pike, a camp of four hundred Texan 
rangers. We arrived at Spring Hill at sundown o»* the 
day following. At Van Dorn's headquarters I asked for 
an interview with the general, which was not allowed, 
but was ordered to Columbia to prison until further 
orders. 

"On Frida}^ evening, a Nashville soldier who stood 
sentinel let me out, and said : *you have no business 
here.' I made my way toward Shelbyville ; crossed over 
Duck creek ; made my way to the Louisburg and Frank- 
lin pike, and started toward Franklin. Before we got 
to the pickets we took to the woods, and thus got round 
the pickets. A farmer reported having seen me to 
the guard, and I was taken again toward Van Dorn'e 
headquarters, six miles distant. I had gone about one 
mile, when I fell in with Colonel Lewis's command, and 
was turned over to an orderly sergeant with whom I was 
acquainted and by whom I was taken to the headquar- 
ters of Colonel Lewis. There I was discharged from ar- 
rest, and was told by the colonel what route I should 
take in order to avoid the scouts, I then started 
toward Columbia, and thence toward Hillsboro. At 
Hillsboro I met a friend by the name of Parkham, who 
guided me within five miles of Franklin, where I ar 
rived at daylight this morning. On Friday last Col 
onel Forrest passed through Columbia with his force 
(three thousand strong), and six pieces of artillery, to 
Decatur, Alabama. One regiment went to Florence. 
The whole force under Van Dorn at Spring Hill does 
not exceed four thousand ; and they are poorly clothed. 
I understand that the force was moving toward Ten- 
nessee river, in order to intercept forces that were be- 
ing ient out by General Grant. 

"Sam. Killdare." 

This Archy Cheatham, who it appears had informed 
upon Killdare, was a government contractor, and pro- 
fessed to be loyal. The manner in which he obtained 
His information was in this wise. 



138 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

One day a genteel, well-dressed young man came U) 
the |>olice office and inquired for Judge Brien, an em- 
ployee of the office. The two, it seems, were old ac- 
quaintances, and for some time maintained a friendly 
conversation in the presence of Colonel Truesdail. The 
visitor, whose name was Stewart, having taken his 
leave, Brien remarked to the Colonel : 

" There is a young man who can do us a great deal 
of good." 

" Do you know him?" said the colonel. 
'' Very well. He talks right." 

The result was that Stewart and Colonel Truesdail 
80on afterward had a private conversation in reference 
to the matter. Stewart stated that he lived about 
two miles from the city upon his plantation, that he 
was intimate with many prominent secessionists, was 
regarded as a good Southern man, and could go any- 
where within the lines of the Confederacy. The col- 
onel replied that he was in want of just such a man, 
and that he could be the means of accomplishing great 
good. It was an office, however, of vast responsibility, 
and, if he should be employed, he would be required 
to take a very stringent and solemn oath, which was 
read to him. To all this Stewart assented, and took 
the oath, only stipulating that he should never be 
mentioned as having any connection with the pohce 
office. He was consequently employed, and told to go 
to work at once. 

For a time all seemed well enough. One or two minor 
cases of smuggling were developed by him. He subse- 
quently reported that he had become acquainted with 
the cashier of the Plantos' Bank, and a Mrs. Bradford, 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 139 

who lived five miles from the city, and made herself 
very busy in carrying letters, in which she was aided 
by Cantrell, the cashier. He was also in the habit of 
meeting large numbers of secessionists, among whom was 
Archy Cheatham. He also was a member of a club or 
association which met every Saturday, to devise ways 
and means for aiding the rebellion, and at which Mrs. 
Bradford and Cantrell were constant attendants. One 
day he reported that Mrs. Bradford was just going to carry 
out what was ostensibly a barrel of flour, but really a 
barrel of contraband goods covered over with flour at 
each end. And so it went on from week to week. 
Somebody was just going to do something, but never did 
\t, or was never detected ; and, despite the many fair 
promises of Stewart, the results of his labors were not 
deemed satisfactory. 

On the night that Killdare came in from his last trip, 
Stewart was at the office. Something was evidently 
wrong, and Stewart soon left. To some natural inquirie?" 
of the colonel, Killdare answered, excitedly : 

''Somebody has nearly ruined me, colonel!" 

" How is that, and who can it be ?" 

" Well, I am sure that it is a man by the name of 
Stewart and Archy Cheatham who have done the mis- 
chief Cheatham has been out in the country some 
fourteen miles, and there he met Lieutenant Johnston, 
whom he told that I was disloyal to the Confederacy, 
and one of your spies. The result was that I was 
arrested, and came near — altogether too near hanginjj 
for comfort. Johnson telegraphed to Van Dorn that he 
had 'aught me, but I got away ; and to make a long 



140 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

storj short, I have been arrested and have escaped three 
times." 

This opened the colonel's eyes somewhat, and inqui- 
ries were at once set on foot, which disclosed the fact 
that Stewart was a rebel of the deepest dye, and had 
been " playing off" all the time. It was found that he 
had not only informed Cheatham of Killdare's business 
and position, but had himself been out in the country 
some fourteen miles, and had told the neighbors that 
Killdare had gone south in Truesdail's employ. He told 
the same thing to two guerillas whom he met, and even 
taunted Killdare's children by saying that he knew 
where their father had gone. The colonel, for once, had 
been thoroughly deceived by appearances ; but it was 
the first and last time. After a month or six weeks' 
search, Stewart was found and committed to the peniten- 
tiary; and before he leaves that institution it is by no 
means improbable that he will have ample time and 
opportunity to conclude that his operations, though 
sharp and skilful, were not of the most profitable 
character. 



A Fighting Parson. — Colonel Granville Moody, of 
the Seventy-fourth Ohio, is a famous Methodist preacher 
from Cincinnati. He is something over fifty, six feet and 
two or three inches, of imposing presence, with a fine, 
genial face and prodigious vocal range. The reverend 
colonel, who proved himself a fighting parson of the first 
water, was hit four times at the battle of Murfreesboro, 
and will carry the marks of battle when he goes back to 
the altar. His benevolence justifies his military flock 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS. AND DETECTIVES. 141 

in the indulgence of sly humor at his expense ; but he 
never permits them to disturb his equanimity. Several 
battle anecdotes of him are well authenticated. Not long 
ago, General Negley merrily accused hun of using 
heterodox expletives in the ardor of conflict. 

"Is it a fact, colonel," inquired the general, "that 
you told the boys to ^ give'em hell' ?" 

'■^ How ?" replied the colonel, reproachfully : " that's 
some more of the boys' mischief. I told them to give 
the rebels '■ Hail Columbia ;' and they have perverted my 
language." 

The parson, however, had a sly twinkle in the corner 
f)f his eye, which left his hearers in considerable doubt. 

Our Western circuit preachers are known as stentors 
Where others are emphatic, they roar in the fervor of 
exhortation, especially when they come in with their 
huge "Amen." This fact must be borne in mind to 
appreciate the story. The colonel's mind was saturated 
with piety and fight. He had already had one bout 
with the rebels, and given them "Hail Columbia." 
They were renewing the attack. The colonel braced 
himself for the shock. Seeing his line in fine order, he 
thought he would exhort them briefly. The rebels were 
coming swiftly. Glancing first at the foe, then at the lads, 
he said, quietly, " Now, my boys, fight for your country 
and your God," and, raising his voice to thunder-tones, 
he exclaimed, in the same breath, " Aim low !" Says 
one of his gallant fellows, " I thought for an instant it 
was a frenzied ejaculation from the profoundest depths 
of the ' Amen corner.' " Any day now you may hear 
the lads of the Seventy-fourth roaring, " Fight for your 
country and your God — aim low !" 



ii'2 J4ARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 



A DARING SCOUT AND SPY. 

Among the Union men and officers in our armies^ 
none have been more earnest in their patriotism, or 
more ready to do and dare every thing for the Union 
cause, than some of the citizens and natives of Southern 
States. To be a Union man in the Southern Atlantic 
or Gulf States, meant, unless the man's social position 
was of the very highest, to be a martyr ; to be robbed, 
persecuted, stripped of all the comforts of life, deprived 
of a home, and often to be conscripted, imprisoned, shot, 
hung, or to suffer a thousand deaths in the tortures and 
indignities inflicted on his helpless family. Yet, with 
all this before them, many Southern men dared to be 
true to their allegiance to the National Government, and 
to enter its service. As was to be expected, these men 
proved the most serviceable and fearless of the Union 
scouts and spies. Their familiarity with the country 
was of great service to them, and the remembrance oi 
the wrongs they had endured fired them with an energy 
and zeal, and a desire to punish the foe, which rendered 
them invaluable. Among the men of this class who 
have rendered most efficient service to the national 
cause, was a young Georgian, born of Scotch parents, 
near Augusta, Georgia, in the year 1832. His real 
name was concealed, in consequence of the peril which 
would have accrued to his relatives, had it been known ; 
but he was known to some extent in the Union army as 
John Morford. A blacksmith by trade, he early engaged 
in railrDad work, and at the opening of the war was 
master mechanic upon one of the Southern railroads. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 143 

He was a decided Union man, and made no secret of his 
opinions, and was in consequence discharged from his 
situation, and not allowed employment upon any other 
railroad. Morgan's cavalry was also sent to his farm, 
and stripped it; and when he applied to the guerilla 
leader for pay for the property thus taken, he was told 
he should have it if he would only prove his loyalty to 
the South. As he would not do this, Morgan cursed 
and abused him, threatened to have him shot, and tinally 
sent him under arrest to one Major Peyton. The major 
endeavored, but without any success, to convince him 
that the cause of the South was right; but Morford 
proving firm to his Union sentiments, he began to 
threaten him, declaring that he should be hung within 
two weeks. Morford coolly replied that he was sorry 
for that, as he should have preferred to live a little 
longer, but if it must be so, he couldn't help it. Find- 
ing him unterrified, Peyton cooled down, and finally 
told him that if he would give a bond of one thousand 
dollars, as security for his good behavior, and take the 
oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, he would 
release him and protect his property. After some hesi- 
tation — no other plan of escape occurring to him — Mor- 
ford assented, and took the required oath, upon the back 
of which Peyton wrote, '* If you violate this, I will hang 
you." 

With this safeguard, Morfoid returned to his farm and 
lived a quiet life. Buying a span of horses, he devoted 
himself to the cultivation of his land, seeing as few per- 
sons as he could, and talking with none. His house had 
previously been the headquarters of the Union men, but 
was now deserted by them ; and its owner endeavored 



144 NARRATITES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND D^fECTIVES. 

to live up to the letter of the obligation he had taken. 
For a short time all went well enough ; but one day a 
squad of cavalry came with a special written order from 
Major Peyton to take his two horses, which they did. 
This was too much for human nature; and Morford, 
perceiving that no faith could be placed in the assur- 
ances of those in command, determined to be revenged 
upon them and their cause. His house again became a 
secret rendezvous for Unionists ; and by trusty agents 
he managed to send regular and valuable information to 
General Buell — then in command in Tennessee. At 
length, however, in May, 1862, he was betrayed by one 
in whom he had placed confidence, and arrested upon 
the charge of sending information to General Crittenden, 
at Battle Creek. He indignantly deiiied the charge, 
and declared that he could easily prove himself inno- 
cent if released for that purpose. After three days' con- 
finement, this was assented to ; and Morford, knowing 
full well that he could not do what he had promised, 
made a hasty retreat and fled to the mountains, whence, 
some days afterward, he emerged, and went to McMinn- 
ville, at which place General Nelson was then in com- 
mand. 

Here he remained until the rebel force left that 
vicinity, when he again went home, and lived undis- 
turbed upon his farm until Bragg returned with his 
army. The presence in the neighborhood of so many 
officers cognizant of his former arrest and escape ren- 
dered flight a second time necessary. He now went to 
the camp of General Donelson, with whom he had some 
acquaintance, and soon became very friendly there — 
acting the while in the double capacity of beef contractor 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. U5 

for the rebel army, and spy for General Crittenden. 
Leaving General Donelson after some months' stay, 
although earnestly requested to remain longer, Morford 
next found his way to Nashville, where he made numer- 
ous expeditions as a spy for General Negley. Buell was 
at Louisville, and Nashville was then the Federal out- 
post. Morford travelled about very readily upon passes 
given him by General Donelson, making several trips to 
Murfreesboro, and one to Cumberland Gap. 

Upon his return from the latter, he was arrested near 
Lebanon, Tennessee, about one o'clock at night, by a 
party of four soldiers upon picket duty at that point 
Halting him, the following conversation occurred : 
'' Where do you live ?" 

" Near Stewart's Ferry, between here and Nashville.** 
" Where have you been, and what for?" 
" Up to see my brother, to get from him some jeans 
cloth and socks for another brother in the Confederate 
army." 

" How does it happen you are not in the army your- 
self? That looks rather suspicious." 

*^0h, I live too near the Federal lines to be conscripted.** 
" Well, we'll have to send you to Murfreesboro. 1 
reckon you're all right ; but those are our orders, and 
we can't go behind them." 

To this Morford readily consented, saying he had no 
objection; and the party sat down by the fire and talked 
in a friendly manner for some time. Morford soon re- 
membered that he had a bottle of brandy with him, and 
generously treated the crowd. Further conversation 
was followed by a second drink, and soon by a third. 
One of the party now proposed to exchange his Rosinant- 
10 



146 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

ish mare for a fine horse which Morford rode. Thtj 
latter was not inclined to trade ; but objection was use- 
less, and he finally yielded, receiving seventy-five dollars 
in Confederate money and the mare. The trade pleased 
the soldier, and a present of a pair of socks still further 
enhanced his pleasure. His companions were also simi- 
larly favored, and testified their appreciation of the gift 
by endeavoring to purchase the balance of Morford's 
stock. He would not sell, however, as he wished to 
send them to his brother at Richmond, by a person who 
had given public notice that he was soon going there. 
A. fourth drink made all supremely happy : at which 
juncture their prisoner asked permission to go to a 
friend's house, only a quarter of a mile off, and stay 
Qutil morning, when he would go with them to Murfrees- 
boro. His friend of the horse-trade, now very mellow, 
thought he need not go to Murfreesboro at all, and said 
he would see what the others said about it. Finally it 
was concluded that he was " right," and might; where- 
upon he mounted the skeleton mare and rode rejoicingly 
into Nashville. 

On his next trip southward he was arrested by Colonel 
John T. Morgan, just as he came out of the Federal 
lines, and, as his only resort, joined Forrest's command, 
and was furnished with a horse and gun. The next day 
Forrest made a speech to his men, and told them that 
they were now going to capture Nashville. The column 
immediately began its march, and Morford, by some 
means, managed to have himself placed in the advance. 
Two miles below Lavergne a halt for the night waa 
made ; but Morford's horse was unruly, and could not 
be stopped, carrying its rider ahead and out of sight, ll 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND OETECTIVES. 147 

is needless to say that this obstinacy was not overcome 
until Nashville was reached, nor that, when Forrest came 
the next day, General Negley was amply prepared for him. 

At this time Nashville was invested. Buell was known 
to be advancing toward the city, but no scouts had been 
able to go to or come from him. A handsome reward 
was offered to any one who would carry a despatch 
safely through to Bowling Green, and Morford undertook 
to do it. Putting the document under the lining of his 
boot, he started for Gallatin, where he arrived . afely. 

For some hours he sauntered around the place, lounged 
in and out of bar rooms, made friends with the rebel 
soldiers, and toward evening purchased a small bag of 
corn meal, a bottle of whiskey, a pound or two of salt, 
and some smaller articles, which he threw across his 
shoulder and started up the Louisville road, with hat 
on one side, hair in admirable disorder, and, ap^)arently, 
gloriously drunk. The pickets jested at and made sport 
of him, but permitted him to pass. The meal, etc., was car- 
ried six miles, when he suddenly became sober, dropped it, 
and hastened on to Bowling Green, and there met General 
Rosecrans, who had just arrived. His information was 
very valuable. Here he remained until the army came up 
and passed on, and then set out on his return on foot, as he 
had come. He supposed that our forces had gone by way 
of Gallatin, but when near that place learned that it was 
still in possession of the rebels, and so stopped for the 
night in a shanty between Morgan's pickets, on the 
north side, and Woolford's (Union), on the south side. 
During the night the two had a fight, which finally 
centered around the shanty, and resulted in drivino 
Morford to the woods. In two or three hours he came 



148 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

back for his clothes, and found that the contending 
parties had disappeared, and that the railroad tunnels 
had been filled with wood and fired. Hastily gathering 
his effects together, he made his way to Tyree Springs, 
and thence to Nashville. 

For a short time he acted as a detective of the army 
police at Nashville, assuming the character of a rebel 
soldier, and living in the families of prominent secession- 
ists. In this work he was very successful ; but it had 
too little of danger and adventure, and he returned again 
to scooting, making several trips southward, sometimes 
without trouble, but once or twice being arrested and 
escaping as best he could. In these expeditions he 
visited McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Altamont, on the 
Cumberland mountains, Bridgeport, Chattanooga, and 
other places of smaller note. He travelled usually in 
the guise of a smuggler, actually obtaining orders for 
goods from prominent rebels, and sometimes the money 
in advance, filling them in Nashville, and delivering the 
articles upon his next trip. Just before the battle of 
Stone river, he received a large order to be filled for the 
rebel hospitals; went to Nashville, procured the medicine, 
and returned to McMinnville, where he delivered some 
of it. Thence he travelled to Brady ville, and thence to 
Murfreesboro, arriving there just as the battle began. 
Presenting some of the surgeons with a supply of mor- 
phine, he assisted them in attending the wounded for a 
day or two, and then went to a hospital tent in the 
woods near the railroad, where he also remained one 
day and part of another. The fight was now getting 
hot, and, fearful that somebody would recognize him, he 
\eh Murfreesboro on Friday, and went to McMinnville 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 149 

fle had been there but little more than an hour, having 
barely time to put up his horse and step into a house 
near by to see some wounded men, when two soldiers 
arrived in search of him. Their description of him was 
perfect; but he escaped by being out of sight — the 
friend with whom he was supposed to be, declaring, 
though closely questioned, that he had not seen and 
knew nothing of him. In a few minutes pickets were 
thrown out around the town, and it was two days before 
he could get away. Obtaining a pass to Chattanooga at 
last, only through the influence of a lady acquaintance, 
with it he passed the guards ; but when once out of 
sight, turned off from the Chattanooga road and made 
his way safely to Nashville. 

General Rosecrans was now in possession of MurfreeS' 
boro, and thither Morford proceeded with some smuggler's 
goods, with a view to another trip. The necessary per- 
mission was readily obtained, and he set out for Wood- 
bury. Leaving his wagon outside the rebel lines, he 
proceeded on foot to McMinnville, arriving there on the 
19th of January 1863, and finding General John H 
Morgan, to whom he represented himself as a former 
resident in the vicinity of Woodbury ; his family, how- 
ever, had moved away, and he would like permission to 
take his wagon and bring away the household goods. 
This was granted, and the wagon brought to McMinn- 
ville, whence Morford went to Chattanooga, representing 
himself along the road as a fugitive from the Yankees. 
Near Chattanooga he began selling his goods to Union 
ists and rebels alike, at enormous prices, and soon 
closed them out at a profit of from four hundred to five 
hund •ed dollars. At Chattanooga he remained a few 



150 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

days, obtained all the information he could, and returned 
to Murfreesboro without trouble. 

His next and last trip is the most interesting and 
daring of all his adventures. Making a few days' stay 
in Murfreesboro, he went to McMinnville, and remained 
there several days, during which time he burned Hickory 
Creek bridge, and sent a report of it to General Rosecrans. 
This he managed with so much secrecy and skill as to 
escape all suspicion of complicity in the work, mingling 
freely with the citizens and talking the matter over in 
all its phases. From McMinnville Morford proceeded 
to Chattanooga, and remained there nearly a week, 
when he learned that three of our scouts were imprisoned 
in the Hamilton county jail, at Harrison, Tennessee, 
and were to be shot on the first Friday in May. 
Determined to attempt their rescue, he sent a Union 
man to the town to ascertain who was jailer, what the 
number of the guards, how they were placed, and inquire 
into the condition of things in general about the jail. 
Upon receipt of his report, Morford gathered about him 
nine Union men, on the night of Tuesday, April 21, 
1863, and started for Harrison. Before reaching the 
place, however, they heard rumors that the guard had 
been greatly strengthened ; and, fearful that it would 
prove too powerful for them, the party retreated to the 
mountains on the north side of the Tennessee river, 
where they remained concealed until Thursday night. 
On Wednesday night the same man who had previously 
gone to (he town was again sent to reconnoitre the 
position. Thursday morning he returned and said that 
the story of a strong guard was all false : there were but 
two in addition to the jailer 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 151 

Morford's part} was now reduced to six, including 
himself; but he resolved to make the attempt that night. 
Late in the afternoon all went down to the river and 
loitered around until dark, when they procured boats 
and crossed to the opposite bank. Taking the Chattanooga 
and Harrison road, they entered the town, looked 
around at leisure, saw no soldiers nor any thing unusual, 
and proceeded toward the jail. Approaching quite 
near, they threw themselves upon the ground and sur- 
veyed the premises carefully. The jail was surrounded 
by a high board fence, in which were two gates. 
Morford's plan of operations was quickly arranged. 
Making a prisoner of one ol his own men, he entered 
the enclosure, posting a sentinel at each gate. Once 
inside, a light was visible in the jail, and Morford 
marched confidently up to the door and rapped. The 
jailer thrust his head out of a window and asked what 
was wanted. He was told, " Here is a prisoner to put 
in the jail." Apparently satisfied, the jailer soon opened 
the door and admitted the twain into the entry. In a 
moment, however, he became alarmed, and hastily ex- 
claiming, " Hold on !" stepped out. 

For ten minutes Morford waited patiently for his 
return, supposing, of course, that he could not escape 
from the yard, both gates being guarded. Not making 
his appearance, it was found that the pickets had allowed 
him to pass them. This rather alarming fact made 
haste necessary, and Morford, returning to the jail, said 
he must put his prisoner in immediately, and demanded 
the keys forthwith. The women declared in positive 
terms that they hadn't them, and did not know where 
they were. One of the guards was discovered in bed 



152 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, S(X)UTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

and told to get the keys. Proving rather noisy and 
saucy, he was reminded that he might get his head 
taken oflf if he were not quiet — which intimation 
effectually silenced him. Morford again demanded the 
keys, and the women, somewhat frightened, gave him 
the key to the outside door. Unlocking it, and lighting 
up the place with candles, he found himself in a room 
around the sides of which was ranged a line of wrought- 
iron cages. In one of these were five persons, four 
white and one negro. Carrying out the character he 
had assumed of a rebel soldier in charge of a prisoner, 
Morford talked harshly enough to the caged men, and 
threatened to hang them at once, at which they were 
very naturally alarmed, and began to beg for mercy. 
For a third time the keys to the inner room, in which 
the scouts were, were demanded, and a third time 
the women denied having them. An axe was then 
ordered to be brought, but there was none about the 
place : so said they. Morford saw that they were trifling 
with him, and determined to stop it. Snatching one of 
the jailer's boys standing near by the collar, and draw- 
ing his sabre, he told him he would cut his head off if 
he did not bring him an axe in two minutes. This had 
the desired effect, and the axe was forthcoming. 

Morford now began cutting away at the lock, when 
he was startled by hearing the word " halt !" at the gate. 
Of his five men two were at the gates, two were inside 
as a guard, and one was holding the light. Ready for 
a fight he went out to see what was the matter. The 
sentinel reporting that he had halted an armed man 
outside, Morford walked out to l^m and demanded : 

" What are you doing here with that gun ?" 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 153 

" Miss Laura said you were breaking down the jail, 
and I want to see McAllister, the jailer. Where is he ?" 
was the reply. 

" Well, suppose I am breaking down the jail : what 
are you going to do about it ?" 

" I am going to stop it if I can." 

" What's your name ?" 

" Lowry Johnson." 

By this time Morford had grasped the muzzle of the 
gun, and told him to let go. Instead of complying, 
Johnson tried to pull it away ; but a blow upon the neck 
from Morford's sabre soon made him drop it. Morford 
now began to search him for other weapons, but before 
he had concluded the operation Johnson broke away, 
leaving a part of his clothing in Morford's hands. The 
latter drew his revolver and pursued, firing five shots at 
him, sometimes at a distance of only six or eight paces. 
A cry, as of pain, showed that he was struck, but he 
managed to reach the hotel (kept by his brother), and, 
bursting in the door, which was fastened, escaped into 
the house. Morford followed, but too late. Johnson's 
brother now came out and rang the bell in front, which 
gathered a crowd about the door ; but Morford, not at all 
daunted, told them that if they wanted to guard the 
jail they had better be about it quick, as he was going 
to burn it and the town in the bargain. This so fright- 
ened them that no further demonstration was made, and 
Morford returned to the jail unmolested. There he and 
his men made so much shouting and hurrahing as to 
frighten the people of the town beyond measure ; and 
many lights from upper story windows were extin- 
guished, and the streets were deserted. 



154 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

A half hour's work was necessary to break off the out- 
side lock — a splendid burglar-proof one. Morford now 
discovered that the door was double, and tiiat the inner 
one was made still more secure by being barred with 
three heavy log chains. These were cut in two with 
the axe ; but the strong lock of the door still remained. 
He again demanded the key, and told the women if it 
was not produced he would murder the whole of them. 
The rebel guard, Lew. Luttrell by name, was still in bed. 
Rising up, he said that the key was not there. Morford 
now ordered Luttrell to get out of bed, in a tone so 
authoritative that that individual deemed it advisable tc 
comply. Scarcely was he out, however, before Morford 
struck at him ^ith his sabre ; but he was too far off, and 
the blow fell upon one of the children, drawing some 
blood. This frightened the women, and, concluding 
that he was about to put his threat in execution and 
would murder them surely enough, they produced the 
key without further words. No time was lost in unlock- 
ing the door and releasing the inmates of the room. 
Procuring their clothes for them, and arming one with 
Johnson's gun, the whole party left the jail and hurried 
oward the river. Among the released prisoners was a 
"ebel with a wooden leg, the original having been shot 
ff at Manassas. He persisted in accompanying the 
'thers, and was only induced to go back by the mtima- 
tion that " dead men tell no tales." 

Crossing the river in the boats, they were moved to 
another place at some distance, to preclude the possibil- 
ity of being tracked and followed. All now hid them- 
selves among the mountains, and the same Union man 
was again sent to Harrison, this time to see how severely 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 155 

Johnson was wounded. He returned in a day or two, 
and reported that he had a severe sabre cut on the 
shoulder, a bullet through the muscle of his right arm, 
and two slight wounds in one of his hands. Morford 
and his men remained in the mountains until all search 
for the prisoners was over, then went to the Cumberland 
mountains, where they remained one day and a portion 
of another, and then proceeded in the direction of 
McMinnville. Hiding themselves in the woods neai 
this place during the day, seeing but not seen, they 
travelled that night to within eleven miles of Woodbury, 
when they struck across the road from McMiuiiville to 
Woodbury. Near Logan's Plains they were fired on by 
a body of rebel cavalry, but, though some forty shots 
were fired, no one of the ten was harmed, Morford hav- 
ing one bullet hole in his coat. The cavalry, however, 
pursued them across the barrens, surrounded them, and 
supposed themselves sure of their game : but Morford 
and his companions scattered and hid away, not one 
being captured or found. Night coming on, the cavalry 
gave up the chase, and went on to Woodbury, where 
they threw out pickets, not doubting that they would 
pick up the objects of their search during the night. 
Morford, however, was informed of this fact by a citizen, 
and, in consequence, lay concealed all the next day, 
making his way safely to Murfreesboro, with all of his 
company, the day after. 



General Palmer and the Hog. — Early one morning 
in 1862, while at Farmington, near Corinth, Mississippi, 
as Brigadier- (now Major-) General Palmer was riding 



156 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

along his lines to inspect some breastworks that had 
been thrown up during the previous night, he came 
suddenly upon some of the boys of Company I, 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, who had just shot 
a two-hundred-pound hog, and were engaged in the 
interesting process of skinning it. The soldiers were 
startled ; their chief looked astonished and sorrowful. 

" Ah ! a body — a corpse. Some poor fellow gone to 
his last home. "Well, he must be buried with military 
honors. Sergeant, call the officer of the guard." 

The officer was speedily at hand, and received orders 
to have a grave dug and the body buried forthwith. 
The grave was soon prepared, and then the company 
were mustered. Pall-bearers placed the body of the 
dead upon a stretcher. The order was given to march, 
and, with reversed arms and funeral tread, the solemn 
procession of sixty men followed the body to the grave. 
Not a word passed nor a muscle of the face stirred while 
the last rites of sepulture were being performed. The 
ceremony over, the general and his staff waved theii 
adieux, and were soon lost in the distance. 

The philosophy of the soldier is usually equal to the 
emergency. He has read and pondered. He new 
painfully realizes that flesh is as grass, and that life is 
but a shadow. But he thinks of the resurrection^ and 
his gloom passes away. So with the philosophic boys 
of Company I, Twenty-seventh Illinois. Ere their 
general was fairly seated at his own breakfast-table, 
there was a raising of the dead, and savory pork steaks 
were frying in many a camp pan. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 157 



SCOUTING IN EAST TENNESSEE. 

Edmund Kirke (Mr. J. R Gilmore), who has ex- 
plored extensively the regions desolated by the war, 
thus narrates one )f the adventures of a Union East 
Tennessean, who had been acting as a scout for General 
Rosecrans, in his little volume " Down in Tennessee :" 

I was dreaming of home, and of certain flaxen-haired 
juveniles who are accustomed to call me "Mister Papa," 
when a heavy hand was laid on my shoulder, and a 
gruff voice said : 

" Doan't want ter 'sturb yer, stranger, but thar haiut 
nary nother sittin'-place in the whole kear." 

I drew in my extremities, and he seated himself 
before me. He was a spare, muscular man of about 
forty, a little above the medium height, with thick, sandy 
hair and beard, and a full, clear, gray eye. There was 
nothing about him to attract particular attention except 
his clothing, but that was so out of all keeping with the 
place and the occasion, that I opened my eyes to their 
fullest extent, and scanned him from head to foot. He 
wore the gray uniform of a secession officer, and in the 
breast of his coat, right over his heart, was a round 
hole, scorched at the edges, and darkly stained with 
blood ! Over his shoulder was slung a large army 
revolver, and at his side, in a leathern sheath, hung a 
weapon that seemed a sort of cross between a bowie» 
knife and a butcher's cleaver. On his head, surmounted 
by a black plume, was a moose-colored slouched hat. 



1 08 NARRATIVES OF SriES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

and falling from beneath it, and tied under his chin, 
was a white cotton handkerchief stiffly saturated with 
blood ! Nine motley-clad natives, all heavily armed, 
had entered with him and taken the vacant s(?ats around 
me, and at first view I was inclined to believe that in 
my sleep the train had gone over to the enemy and left 
me in the hands of the Philistines. I was, however 
quickly reassured, for, boking about, I discovered the 
Union guard and my fellow-travellers all in their pre- 
vious places, and as unconcerned as if no unusual thing 
had happened. Still, it seemed singular that no officer 
had the new-comer in charge ; and more singular that 
any one in the uniform he wore should be allowed to 
carry arms so freely about him. After awhile, having 
gleaned all the knowledge of him that my eyes could 
obtain, I said in a pleasant tone : 

'' Well, my friend, you appear to take things rather 
coolly." 

" Oh, yes, sir ! I orter. I've been mighty hard put, 
but I reckon I'm good fur a nother pull now.'* 

" Where are you from ?" 

'^ Fentress county, nigh outer Jim town (Jamestown). 
['m scoutin' it fur Burnside — runnin' boys inter camp ; 
but these fellers wanted ter jine Gunnel Brownlow — the 
old parson's son — down ter Triune. We put plumb fur 
Nashville, but bed ter turn norard, case the brush down 
thar ar thick with rebs. They'd like ter a hed us." 

"Oh, then you wear that uniform as a disguise on 
scouting expeditions ?" 

" No, sir ; I never hed sech a rig on afore. I allers 
shows the true flag, an' thar haint no risk, 'case, ye see, 
the whole deestrict down thar ar Union folks, an' ary 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

one on 'em would house'n me ef all Buckner's army wufe 
at my heels. But this time they run me powerful close, 
an' I hed to show the secesh rags." 

As he said this, he looked down on his clean, unworn 
suit of coarse gray with ineffable contempt , 

'' And how could you manage to live with such a hole 
there ?" I asked, pointing to the bullet rent in his coat 

'' Oh ! I warn't inside of 'em just then, though I war- 
rant me he war a likely feller thet war. I ortent ter a 
done hit — but I hed ter. This war he ;" and taking from 
his side pocket a small miniature, he handed it to me. 

It was a plain circlet of gold, attached to a piece of 
blue ribbon. One side of the rim was slightly clipped, 
as if it had been grazed by the passing ball, and the 
upper portion of the ivory was darkly stained with blood; 
but enough of it was unobscured to show me the features 
of a young man, with dark, flowing hair, and a full, 
frank, manly face. With a feeling akin to horror I was 
handing the picture back to the scout, when, in low, 
stammering tones, he said to me : 

" 'Tother side, sir ! Luk at 'tother side." 

I turned it over, and saw the portrait of a young 
woman, scarcely more than seventeen. She had a clear, 
transparent skin, regular, oval features, full, swimming, 
black eyes, and what must have been dark, wavy, brown 
hair, but changed then to a deep auburn by the red 
stains that tinged the upper part of the picture. With 
intense loathing, I turned almost fiercely on the scout, 
and exclaimed : " And you killed that man ?" 

" Yes, sir, God forgiv me — I done hit. But I couldn't 
holp hit. He hed me down — he'd cut me thar," turning 
up his sleeve, and displaying a deep wound on his arm; 



160 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

" an' thar !" removing the bandage, and showing a long 
gash back of his ear. " His arm wus riz ter strike agin 
— ^in another minhit he'd hev cluv my brain. I seed hit, 
sir, an' I fired ! God forgiv me, I fired ! I wouldn't a 
done hit ef I'd a knowed thet," and he locked down on 
the face of the sweet young girl, and the moisture came 
into his eyes : " I'd hev shot 'im somewhar but yere — 
somewhar but yereT and laying his hand over the rent 
in his coat, he groaned as if he felt the wound. With 
that blood-stained miniature in my hand, and listening 
to the broken words of that ignorant scout, I realized 
the horrible barbarity of war. 

After a pause of some minutes, he resumed the con- 
versation. 

" They killed one on our boys, sir." 

"Did they! How was it?" 

" Wal, sir, ye see they b'long round the Big Fork, in 
Scott county; and bein's I war down thar, an' they 
know'd I war a runnin' recruits over the mountins ter 
Bumside, they telled me they wanted me ter holp 'em 
git 'long with the young cunnel. They'd ruther a no- 
tion ter him — an' he ar a feller thet haint grow'd every- 
whar — 'sides all the folks down thar swar by the old 
parson." 

" Well, they ought to, for he's a trump," I remarked, 
good-humoredly, to set the native more at his ease. 

" Ye kin bet high on thet ; he haint nothin' else," he 
»''^T)lied, leaning forward and regarding me with a pleased, 
kindly expression. " Every un down my way used tei 
take his paper; thet an' the Bible war all they ever 
seed, an' they reckoned one war 'bout so good as 'tother. 
Wall, the boys thort I could git 'em through — an' bein'e 



NARRATIYES OF SPIES ".COUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 161 

it made no odds to me whar they jined, so long as they 
did jine, I greed ter du hit. We put out ten days, 
yisterday — twelve on 'em, an' me — an' struck plumb for 
Nashville. We lay close daytimes, 'case, though every 
hous'n ar Union, the kentry is swarmin' with Buckner's 
men, an' we know'd they'd let slide on us jest so soon 
as they could draw a bead. We got 'long right smart 
till we fotched the Roaring river, nigh onter Livingston 
We'd 'quired, an' hedn't heerd uv ary rebs bein' round ; 
so, foolhardy like, thet evenin' we tuk ter the road 'fore 
hit war clar dark. We hedn't gone more'n a mile till 
we come slap onter 'b@ut eighty secesh calvary. We 
skedaddled fur the timber, powerful sudden ; but they 
war over the fence an' on us 'fore we got well under 
cover. 'Bout thirty on 'em slid thar nags, an' come at 
us in the brush. I seed twarn't no use runnin' ; so 1 
yelled out : ' Stand yer ground, boys, an' sell yer lives 
jest so high as ye kin !' Wall, we went at hit ter close 
quarters — hand ter hand, an' fut ter fut — an' ye'd better 
b'lieve thar war some tall fightin' thar fur 'bout ten 
minhits. Our boys fit like fien's — thet little chunk uv 
A feller thar," pointing to a slim, pale-faced youth, not 
more than seventeen, " laid out three on 'em. I'd done 
up two myself, when the cap'n come onter me — but, Tve 
telled ye 'bout him ;" and drawing a long breath, he put 
the miniature back in his pocket. After a short pause, 
he continued : 

" When they seed the cap'n war done fur, they fell 
back a piece — them as war left on 'em — ter the edge 
uv the timber, an' hollered fur tuthers ter come on. 
Thet guv us time ter load up — we'd fit arter the fust fire 
wuth knives — an' we blazed i iter 'em. Jest as we done 
11 



1(52 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES 

hit, I heer'd some more calvary comin' up the road, an' 
T war jest tellin' the boys we'd hev ter make tracks, 
when the new fellers sprung the fence, an' come plumb 
at the secesh on a dead run. Thar warn't only thirty 
on 'em, yit the rebs didn't so much as make a stand, but 
skedaddled as ef old Rosey himself hed been arter 'em.*' 

"And who were the new comers?" 

'^ Some on Tinker Beaty's men. They'd heerd the 
firin' nigh two mile oflf, an' come up, suspicionin' how 
things wus." 

" But, are there Union bands there ? I thought East 
Tennessee was overrun with rebel troops." 

" Wall, hit ar ; but thar's a small chance uv Union 
goorillas in Fentress an' Overton county. They hide in 
the mountins, an' light down on the rebs, now an' then, 
like death on a sick parson. Thar is places in them 
deestricts thet a hundred men kin hold agin ten thousand 
They know 'em all, 'case they wus raised thar, an' they 
know every bridle path through the woods, so it's well 
nigh unpossible ter kotch 'em. I reckon thar's a hundred 
on 'em, all mounted, an' bein' as they haint no tents, 
nor wagins, nor camp fixin's, they git round mighty 
spry. Thar scouts is allers on the move, an' wharever 
thar's a showin', they pounce down on the rebs, cuttin' 
'em ter pieces. Thet's the how they git powder an' pro- 
visions. They never trouble peaceable folk, an' haint 
no sort o' 'spense ter guverment ; but they does a heap 
uv damage ter the secesh." 

" Well, they did you a ' powerful' good turn." 

" They did thet ; but we lost one on our boys. He 
war only sixteen — brother ter thet felbr thar," pointing 
*o a young man sitting opposite. ' They hung his 



VARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 163 

fkther, an' now — they's killed him," and he drew a deep 
sigh. 

" Why did they hang his father ?" 

"Wall, ye see, they kunscripted him — he war over 
age, but they don't mind thet — an' he desarted, meanin' 
ter git ter the Union lines. They kotched him in the 
woods, an' hung him light up ter a tree. " 

'' Was only one of your men hurt ?" 

"Yes, two on 'em wus wounded too bad ter come wuth 
as. The calvary toted 'em off ter the mountins, an' I 
reckon they'll jine 'em when they gits round. But we 
left elevin uv the rebs dead on the ground." 

'* Did your men kill so many ? The cavalry had a 
hand in that, I suppose ?" 

" Yes, they killed two — thet's all. They couldn't gii 
at 'em, they run so. We done the rest." 

" You must have fought like tigers. How many were 
wounded ?" 

" Nary one; what wan't dead the boys finished." 

"You don't mean to say that ymr men killed the 
wounded after the fight ?" 

" I reckon they did — some four on 'em." 

" My friend, that's nothing but murder I had hoped 
the rebels did all of that work." 

" Wall, they does — anuff on hit ; an' I never could 
bring my mind ter think it war right oi human : but 1 
fi'pose thet's case I never hed a father hung, or a sister 
ravig'd, or a old mother shot down in bar bed. Them 
things, you knows, makes a difference." 

"And have any of your men suffered in such ways?** 

" In sech ways ? Thar haint one on 'em but kin tell 
you things 'ud turn yer ' lood ter ice D^e see thet fel- 



1.64 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

ler thar ?" pointing to a thin, sallow faced man, two seacH 
in our rear. " Not two months gone, some twenty reba 
come ter his house while he war layin' out in the woods, 
an' toted his wife — as young an' purty a 'oman as yer 
own sister — oflf 'bout a mile, an' thar tuk thar will uv 
her — all on 'em ! She made out ter crawl home, but it 
killed har. He warn't wuth har when she died, an' hit 
wus well he warn't, fur he'd hev gone clean crazy ef he 
hed been. He's mor'n half thet now — crazy fur blood ! 
An' kin ye blame him ? Kin ye 'spect a man thet's hed 
sech things done ter him ter show quarter ? 'Taint in 
natur' ter do hit. All these boys hes hed jest sich, an' 
things like hit ; an' they go in ter kill or be kilt. They 
doan't ax no marcy, an' they doan't show none. Nigh 
twenty thousand on 'em is in Bumside*s an' old Rosey's 
army, an' ye kin ax them if they doan't fight like devils. 
The iron has entered thar souls, sir. They feel they's 
doin* God sarvice — an' they is — when they does fur a 
secesh. An' when this war ar over — ef it ever ar over 
— thar'll be sech a reckonin' wuth the rebs uv East 
Tennessee as creation never know'd on afore. Thar 
wont be one on 'em left this side uv hell !" This was 
said with a vehemence that startled me. His eyes 
actually blazed, and every line on his seamed face 
quivered with passion. To change the subject, I asked : 
" And what did you do after the fight ?" 
" Not knowin' what moight happen, we swapped does 
with sech uv the rebs as hed gray 'uns, an' put North — 
plumb fur the mountins. Nigh outer Meigsville we 
come outer a Union man, who holped us ter cut some 
timber an' make a raft — fur we 'lowed the secesh would 
track us wuth houns, an' ter throw 'em ofi" the scent we 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 165 

bed ter take ter the water. We got inter Obey's Fork, 
an' floated down ter the Cumberland ; hidin' in the bushes 
in the daytime, an' floatin' at night. We got nigh outer 
Carthage, an' knowin' the river wan't safe no longer, 
left hit an' struck 'cross fir the railroad. Thet kentry 
ar full uv rebs, but hevin' the secesh does ou, we made 
out ter git 'nuff ter eat till we got yere." 



BIBLE SMITH, 

THE EAST TENNESSEE SCOUT AND SPY. 

No troops in the Union service were more thoroughly 
patriotic than the Union men of East Tennessee. Mostly 
of Scotch Irish stock, and often imbued with the most 
profound and earnest religious sentiment, they united 
the earnest puritanism of Cromwell's Ironsides to the skill, 
tact, and daring of the pioneers of the border. These 
qualities, added to their thorough knowledge of the coun- 
try, and its inhabitants, and a sort of free masonry which 
prevailed among the hunted and persecuted Union men 
of the region made them invaluable as scouts and spies. 
Among them all none perhaps acquired more renown or 
accomplished more for the benefit of the Union armies 
of the Cumberland and the Ohio, in their great work of 
putting down the rebellion, than William Jehosaphat 
Smith, better known throughout East Tennessee as Bible 
Smith from his Scriptural middle name. Smith was one 
of the middle class of farmers of that mountain region ; 
and had had very little education ; his wife, who, as was 



166 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

often the case with the class to which she belonged, wdo 
of somewhat higher social position than her husband, 
and better educated, had taught him to read. He was 
a man of very strong affections, and was deeply attached 
to his wife, whom he regarded as almost a superior being. 
Next to her his most ardent love was bestowed on the 
flag of his country. For it and the cause it represented 
he would dare any thing and every thing. Mr. J. R. 
Gilmore (" Edmund Kirke") gives an admirable history 
of Smith's experiences in connection with the war and 
as a scout, from which we quote the following: 

Seated after dinner on the piazza of the hospitable 
Southern lady, Bible told me his story. 

He had been stripped of all his property, his wife and 
children had been driven from their home, his house had 
been burned to the ground, and he himself hunted 
through the woods like a wild beast, because he had re- 
mained true to what he called democratic principles — 
" free schools, free speech, free thought, and free a'r fur 
all o' God's critters." 

The world went well with him till the breaking out 
of the rebellion. That event found him the owner of 
fifteen likely negroes, a fine plantation of nine hundred 
and thirty acres, and a comfortable frame dwelling and 
out-buildings. His elder daughter had married a young 
farmer of the district, and his younger — little Sally, 
whom I remembered as a rosy-cheeked, meek-eyed, wee 
thing of only seven years — had grown up a woman. 

In the spring of 1861, when there were no Union 
troops south of the Ohio, and the secession fever was 
raging furiously all over his county he organized one 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. l67 

hundred and six of his neighbors into a company of 
Home Guards, and was elected their captain. They 
were pledged to resist all attacks on the person or prop- 
erty of any of their number, and met frequently in the 
woods in the vicinity of their homes. This organization 
secured Bible safety and free expression of opinion till 
long after Tennessee went out of the Union. In fact, 
he felt so secure that, in 1862— a year after the Stat* 
seceded— under the protection of his band of Hom€ 
Guards, he inaugurated and carried through a celebratior 
of the fourth of July at Richmond, Tennessee, under the 
very guns of a rebel regiment then forming in the town. 
An act of so much temerity naturally attracted the 
attention of the Confederate authorities, and not long 
afterward he was roused from his bed one morning, before 
daybreak, by three hundred armed men, who told him 
that ho was a prisoner, and that all his property waa 
confiscated to the Government. They at once enforced 
the " confiscation act;" "and this," he said, taking from 
his wallet a piece of soiled paper, " ar' whot I hed ter 
'tribute ter the dingnation consarn. It'r Sally's own 
handwrite, an' I knows ye loikes har, so ye kin hev it, 
fur it'll nuver be uv no manner uv account ter me." 

The schedule is now before me, and I copy it verbatim: 
''14 men and wimmin" (Jake eluded the soldiers and 
escaped to the woods), "1600 barrils com, 130 sheeps, 
700 bushls wheat, 440 barley, 100 rye, 27 mules, 5 oow' 
brutes, 105 head hogs, 17 horses and mars, and all they 
cud tote beside." 

''Wall, they tied me hand an' fut," he continued, 
"an' toted me off ter the Military Commission sittin' tei 
Chattanooga. I kncw'd whot thet meant— a short 



l68 l^ARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

prayer, a long rope, an' a break-down danced on the top 
o' nothin'. Better men nur me hed gone thet way ter 
the Kingdom — sevin on 'em wuthin a month — but I de- 
tarmined I wouldn't go ef I could holp it ; not thet I 
'jected ter the journey, only ter goin' afore uv Sally. 
Ye Bees, I hedn't been nigh so good a man as I'd orter 
be, an' I reckoned Sally — who, ye knows, ar the best 
'ooman thet uver lived — I reckoned she, ef she got thar 
a leetle afore o' me, could sort o' put in a good word wuth 
the Lord, an' git Him ter shot His eyes ter a heap o' my 
doin's ; an' sides, I should, I know'd, feel a mighty strange 
loike up thar without har. Wall, I detarrained not ter 
go, so thet night, as we war camped out on the ground, 
I slid the coil, stole a nag, an' moseyed off. Howsumuver, 
I hedn't got more'n a hun'red rods, 'fore the dumed 
Secesh yered me, an' the bullets fell round me thicker'n 
tar in January. They hit the boss, winged me a trifle, 
an' in less nur ten minnits, hed me tighter'n uver. They 
swore a streak uv blue brimstun', an' said they'd string 
me up ter onst, but I telled 'em they wouldn't, 'case I 
know'd I war a gwine ter live ter holp do thet ar' same 
turn fur Jeff. Davis. Wall, I s'pose my impudence hed 
suthin' ter do wuth it, fur they didn't hang me — ye 

mought know thet, Mr. , fur, ye sees, I hes a 

good neck fur stretchin' yit. 

'' Wall we got ter Chattanooga jest arter noon. The 
Commission they hed too many on hand thet day ter 
'tend ter my case, an' the jail wus chock-heapin', so they 
put me inter a tent under guard uv a hull Georgy regi- 
ment. Things luck'd 'mazin' squally, an' much as I de- 
tarmined ter be a man, my heart went clean down inter 
mv boots whenuver I thort uv Sally. I nuver felt so, 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 169 

afore or sence, fur then I hedn't got used ter luckin' at 
the gallus uvery day. 

" Wall, / didn't know whot ter do, but thinkin' the 
Lord did, I kneeled down an' prayed right smart. I 
telled Him I hedn't no face ter meet Him afore I'd a 
done suthin' fur the kentry, an' thet Sally's heart would 
be clean broke ef I went afore har, but, howsumuver, I 
said, He know'd best, an* ef it war His will, I hed jest 
nothin' ter say agin it. Thet's all I said, but I said it 
over an' over, a heap o' times, an it war right dark when 
I got off uv my knees. The Lord yered me, thet's sar- 
tin, 'case I hedn't mor'n got up fore a dirty grey-back, 
drunker'n a member uv Congress, staggered inter the 
tent. I recken he thort he war ter home, fur he drap 
ped down outer the ground an' went ter sleep, wuthout 
80 much as axin' ef I was willin*. 

" Then it come inter my head, all ter onst, whot ter 
do. Ye sees, the critters hed tied me hand an' fut, in' 
teddered me wuth a coil ter one o' the tent stakes, so I 
couldn't move only jest so fur ; but the Lord He made 
the drunken feller lop down jest inside uv reachin'. 
Wall, when I war shore he war dead asleep, I rolled 
over thar, drawed out the bowie-knife in his belt wuth 
my teeth, an' sawed off my wristlets in no time. Ye 
kin reckon it didn't take long ter undo the 'tother coils, 
an' to 'propriate his weapons, tie 'im hand an' fut loike 
I war, strip off his coat, put mine outer 'im, swap hats, 
an' pull the one I guv him down outer his eyes loike as 
ef he never wanted to see the sun agin. When I'd a 
done thet, I stopped ter breathe, an' luckin' up I seed a 
light a comin'. I 'spicioned it war ter 'xamine arter me, 
BO I slunk down inter a come- o' the tent, jest aside 



170 Narratives of spies, scouts, and detectives. 

the door. They wus a leftenant, an' three privite, 
makin' the rounds, an' the light showed me nigh onter 
a army uv sentinels all about thar. Thet warn't no way 
encouragin', but sez 1 ter myself : * Bible,' sez I, ^ be 
cool an' outdacious, an' ye'll git out o' this, yit;' so, 
when the leftenant luck'd in, an' sayin' : *A11 right,' put 
out agin, I riz up, an' jined the fellers as wus a follerin' 
on him. I kept in the sh adder, an' they, supposin' I 
war one on 'em, tuck no kind uv notice uv me. We*d 
luck'd arter three or four pore prisoners loike I war, 
when I thort I'd better be a moseyin', so I drapped 
ahind, an' arter a while dodged out beyont the second 
line o' pickets. I'd got nigh onter a patch uv woods 
half a mile off, when all ter oust a feller sprung up frum 
a clump uv bushes, yelled, ^ Halt,' an' pinted his 
musket stret at me. I mought hev eended 'im, but I 
reckoned others wus nigh, an' sides, I nuver takes 
humin life ef I kin holp it ; so I sez ter 'im ; * Why, 
Lord bless me, cumrad', I didn't seed ye.' ' I s'pose ye 
didn't. Whot is ye doin' yere ?' sez he. * Only pursuin' 
a jug o' blue ruin I'se out thar hid under a log,' sez I. 
' Ye knows it'r agin rule to tote it inside, but a feller 
must licker.' * Wall, licker up ter-morrer,' sez ha 
' We's got 'ticklar orders ter let no 'un out ter-night. 
Blast the orders,' sez I. ' Ye'd loike a swig yerself.' 
* Wall, I would,' sez he. ' WuU you go snacks ?' ' Yas,' 
sez I ; ' an' guv ye chock-heapin measure, for I must hev 
some o' thet afore mornin'.' 

" Thet brung him, an' I piked off for the ruin. (It 
warn't thar, ye knows — I nuver totch the dingnation 
stuff.) Ye'd better b'lieve the grass didn't grow under 
my feet when onst I got inter the woods. I plumbed 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 171 

my coorse by the stars, an' made ten right smart miles 
in no time. Then it come inter my head thet I'd a 
forgot all ab^ut the Lord, so I kneeled down right thar, 
m' thanked Him. I telled Him I seed His hand jest 
•so plain as ef it war daytime, an' thet, as shore as my 
name war Bible, I'd foller His lead in futur' — an' I'se 
tried ter, uver sense. 

" I'd got to be right well tuckered out by thet time — 
the 'citement, ye see, hed holt me up, but I'd no sooner 
gone to pray in' fore my knees guv out all ter onst — so, 
I put fur a piece uv timber, lay down under a tree, an' 
went ter sleep. I must hev slept mighty sound, fur, 
long 'bout mornin', some'un hed ter shuck me awful 
hard, an' turn me clar over, 'fore it woked me. I got 
up. 'Twar nigh so light as day, though 'twarn't sun-up 
Yit I luck'd all around an' didn't see a soul ! Now, 
what d'ye s'pose it war that woked me ?" 

" Your own imagination, I reckon. You were dream- 
ing, and in your dream you thought some one shook 
you," I replied. 

" No ; 'twarn't thet. I nuver dreams. It war the 
Lord ! An' He done it 'case I'd prayed ter' im. I'se 
nuver gone ter sleep, or woke up, sense, wuthout pray in' 
ter Him, an' though I'se been in a heap uv wuss fixes 
nur thet, He's got me out uv all on *em, jest 'case I does 
pray ter Him." 

I did not dispute him. Who that reads the New 
Testament as Bible reads it — like a little child — can 
dispute him. In a moment he went on with his story 

"Wall, I luck'd all round, an' seed nuthin', but 1 
yefred — not a mile off — the hounds a bayin' away loike 
A young thundergust They wus arter me, an' thet 



172 NARRAtlVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

wus the why the Good Lord woked me. I luck'd at the 
Volver I'd stole from the sodger, seed it war all right, 
an' then dumb a tree. 'Bout so quick as it takes ter 
tell it, the hounds — two 'maizin' fine critters, wuth a 
hun'red an' fifty apiece — wus on me. I run my eye 
'long the pistol-barr'l, an' let drive. It tuck jest two 
shots ter kill 'em. I know'd the Secesh wus a follerin 
the dogs, so ye'd better b'lieve I made purty tall racin' 
time till I got ter the eend uv the timber. 

" Just at night I run agin some darkies, who guv me 
suthin ter eat, an' nothin' more happen'd 'fore the next 
night, when I come in sight o' home. I got ter the edge 
uv the woods, on the hill jest ahind uv my barn, 'bout 
a hour by sun ; but I darn't go down, fur, ye knows, 
the house stood in a clarin', an' some uv the varmints 
mought be a watchin' fur me. I lay thar till it war 
thick dark, an' then I crept ter the r'ar door. I listened ; 
an' whot d'ye 'spose I yered? Sally a prayin' — an' 
prayin' fur me, so 'arnest an' so tender loike, thet I set 
down on the door step, an' cried loike a child — I did." 

Here the rough, strong man bent down his head and 
wept again. The moisture filled my own eyes as he 
continued : 

" She telled the Lord how much I war ter har ; how 
she'd a loved me uver sense she'd a fust seed me ; how 
'fore har father, or mother, or even the chillen, she loved 
me ; how she'd tried ter make me love Him ; how she 
know'd thet, way down in my heart, I did love Him, 
though I didn't say so, 'case men doan't speak out 'bout 
sech things loike wimmin does. An' she telled Him 
how she hed tried ter do His will ; tried ter be one on 
His raal chillen ; an' she telled Him He bed promised 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 173 

not ter lay enter His chillen no more'n they could 
b'ar, an' she couldn't b'ar ter hev me hung up as ef I war 
a traitor : thet she could part wuth me if it war best ; 
thet she could see me die, an' not weep a tear, ef I could 
only die loike a man, wuth a musket in my hand, a doin 
suthin' for my kentry. Then she prayed Him ter send 
me back ter har fur jest one day, so she mought ax me 
once more ter love Him — an' she know'd I would love 
Him ef she axed me agin — an' she said ef He'd only do 
thet, she'd — much as she loved me — she'd send me 
away, an' guv me all up ter Him an' the kentry fur 
uver! 

" I couldn't stand no more, so I opened the door, 
drapped outer my knees, tuck har inter my arms, lay 
my head on har shoulder, an' sobbed out : * The Lord 
hes yered ye, Sally ! I wull love Him ! I wuU be 
worthy of sech love as y's guv'n me, Sally !' " 

He paused for a moment, and covered bis face with his 
hands. When he spoke again there was a softness and 
tenderness in his tone that I never heard in the voice 
of but one other man. 

'' Sense thet minnit this yerth hes been another yerth 
ter me; an' though I'se lost uverythin'; though I hes no 
home ; though night arter night I sleeps out in the cold 
an' the wet, a scoutin' ; though my wife an' chillen is 
scattered ; though nigh uvery day I'se in danger uv the 
gallus ; though I'se been roped ter a tree ter die loike a 
dog ; though a thousand bullets hes yelled death in my 
yeres ; though I'se seed my only boy shot down afore my 
vury eyes, an' I not able ter speak ter him, ter guv him 
a mossel uv comfort, or ter yere his last word, I'se hed 
Buthin allers yere (laying his hand on his heart) thet 



174 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

hes holt me up, an' made me luck death in the face a» 

of I loved it An ef ye hain't got thet, Mr. , no 

matter whot else ye's got, no matter whot money, or 
larnin', or friends, ye's pore — porer nur I ar!" 

I made no reply, and after a short silence he resumed 
his story. 

*' Jake — that war my boy — ye remember him, ye hed 
him on yer knee — he war eighteen an' a man grow'd 
then : wall, Jake an' me made up our minds ter pike 
fur the Union lines ter onst. Sally war all night a 
cookin' fur us, an' we a gittin' the arms an' fixin's a 
ready — we hed lots o' them b'longin' ter the Guards, 
hid away in a panel uv the wall — an' the next day, 
meanin' ter start jest arter sunset, we laid down fur 
(Some sleepin'. Nigh onter dark, Black Jake, who war 
a watchin', come rushin' inter the house, sayin the 
secesh wus a comin'. Thar wus only twenty on 'em, 
he said, an' one wus drunk an' didn't count fur nuthin', 
80, we detarmined ter meet 'em. We tuck our stands 
nigh the door, each on us men — Black Jake, the boy, 
an' me — wuth a Derringer in his pocket, two 'vol vers in 
his belt, an' a Bowie-knife in the breast uv his waistcoat, 
an' the wimrain wuth a 'volver in each hand, an' waited 
fur 'em. Half a dozen on 'em went round ter the r'ar, 
an' the rest come at the front door, yellin' out: 

*' ' We doan't want ter 'sturb ye. Miss Smith (they's 
chivulry, ye knows), but we reckons yer husban' ai 
yere, an' we must sarch the house. We hes orders ter 
take him.' 

" I opened the door stret off, an' steppin' down onter 
the piazzer — Black Jake an' the boy ter my back, an' 
the wimmin' ter the winder — I sez ter 'em : 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 175 

"*Wall, Fse yere. Take me efye kin!' 

"They wus fourteen on 'em thar, uvery man wuth a 
musket, but they darn't lift a leg! They wus cowards. 

It'r nuthin but a good cause, Mr. , thet guvs a man 

courage — makes him luck death in the face as ef he 
loved it. 

'' Wall, they begun ter parley. 'We doan't want ter 
shed no blood,' said the leftenant. 'but we's orders ter 
take ye, Mister Smith, an' ye'd better go wuth us, peace- 
able loike.' 

"'I shan't go wuth ye peaceable loike, nur no other 
how,' sez I; 'fur ye's a pack o' howlin thieves an' traitors 
as no decent man 'ud be seed in company uv. Ye dis- 
graces the green yerth ye walks on, an' ef ye doan't git 
off uv my sheer uv it in less nur no time, I'll send ye 
— though it'r agin my principles ter take humin life — 
whar ye'll git yer desarts, sartin.' 

" Then the leftenant he begun ter parley agin, but 1 
pinted my 'volver at him, an' telled him he'd better be 
a moseyin' sudden. Sayin' he'd 'port ter his cunnel, he 
done it. 

"We know'd a hun'red on 'em 'ud be thar in no time, 
so, soon as they wus out o' sight, the boy an' me, leavin' 
Black Jake ter luck arter the wimmin, struck a stret line 
fur the timber. We hedn't got mor'n four mile — ter the 
top uv the tall summit ter the ra'r uv Richmond — afore, 
luckin' back, we seed my house an' bams all a blazin'I 
The Heaven-defy in' villuns bed come back — shot Jake 
down in cold blood, druv my wife an' darter out o' 
doors, an' burnt all I hed ter the ground ! We seed the 
fire, but not knowiu whot else hed happin'd, an' noi 
bein' able ter do nothin', we piked on inter the woods 



176 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

" We traviled all thet night through the timber, an' 
jest at sundown uv the next day come ter a clarin'. 
We wus mighty tired, but 'twouldn't do ter sleep thar, 
fur the trees wus nigh a rod asunder ; so we luck'd round, 
an' on t'other side uv the road, not half a mile off, seed 
'bout a acre uv laurel bush — ^ye knows whot them is, 
some on 'em so thick a dog kam't git through 'em. Jake 
war tireder nur I war, an' he said ter me, ' Dad,' sez he : 
' let us git under kiver ter oust. I feels loike I couldn't 
Btand up no longer.' It wus foolhardy loike, fur the 
sun wam't clar down, but I couldn't b'ar ter see the boy 
so, an', agin my judgment, we went down the road ter 
the laurels. We lay thar till momin', an' slep' so sound 
thet I reckon ef forty yerthquakes hed shuck the yerth, 
they wouldn't hev woked us. Soon as sun-up, Jake riz, 
an' went ter the edge uv the thicket ter rekonnoitter. 
He hedn't stood thar five minutes — ^right in plain sight, 
an' not more'n two hun'red rods frum me — afore I yered 
a shot, an' seed the pore boy throw up his arms, an' fall 
ter the ground. In less nur no time fifty Secesh wus on 
him. I war springin' up ter go ter him, when suthin' 
tuck me by the shoulder, belt me back, an' said ter me : 
' Ye karn't do nothin' fur him. Leave 'im ter the Lord. 
Save yerself fur the kentry.' It went agin natur,' but 
it 'peared the Lord's voice, so I crouched down agin 
*mong the bushes. I nuver know'd whot it war thet 
saved me till nigh a y'ar arterwuds. Then I tuck thet 
leftenant pris'ner — I could hev shot him, but I guv him 
his life ter repent in, an' he done it : he's a decent man 
now, b'longin' ter Gunnel Johnson's rigiment. Wall, I 
tuck him, an' he said ter me : "I wus aside uv thet pore 
boy when he war dyin'. He turned his eyes outer me 



NARRATIVES OF SPIEli, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 171 

jest as he war goin', an' he said : ' Ye kam't kotch him. 
He's out o' the bush ! Ha ! ha !' He said thet, and 
died. Ter save me, died wuth a lie on his lips ! Does 
ye b'lieve the Lord laid that agin him, Mr. ?" 

" No, no ! I am sure not. It was a noble action.** 

'* It 'pears so ter me, but it war loike the boy. He 
war allers furgettin' himself, an' thinkin' uv other folk 
He war all — all the pride uv my life — him an' Sally — 
but it pleased the Lord ter tuck him afore me — but only 
fur a time— only fur a time — 'fore long I shill hev him 
agin — agin — up thar — up thar !" 

His emotion choked his utterance for awhile. When 
he resumed, he said : 

"At the eend uv a fortn't, trav'lin' by night an' 
sleepin' by day, an' livin' on the darkies when my fixin's 
guv out, I got inter the Union lines 'bove Nashville.*' 

" And what became of your wife and daughter ?" 1 
asked. 

" Lettle Sally went ter har sister. My wife w^alked 
eighty miles ter har father's. He's one on yer quality 
folk, an' a durned old secesh, but he's got humin natur' 
in him, an' Sally's safe thar. I'se seed har twice ter his 
house. The old 'un he's know'd on't, but he hain't 
nuver said a word." 

Bible'? scouting adventures would fill a volume, and 
read more like a romance of the middle ages than a 
matter-of-fact history of the present time. On one 
occasion, when about five miles outside of our lines, he 
came, late at night, upon a party of rebel officers, 
making merry at the house of a wealthy secessionist 
Riding coolly up to the mounted orderly on guard before 
the door-way, he pinioned his arms, thrust a haudker- 



178 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

chief into his mouth, and led him quietly out of hearing 
Then bidding him dismount, and tying him to a tree, 
he removed the impromptu gag, and levelling a revolver 
at his head, said to him : 

" Now, tell me, ye rebel villun, whot whiskey-kags 
wus ye a watchin' thar ? Speak truth, or I'll guv ye 
free passage ter a hot kentry." 

" Nine ossifers," said the trembling vebel ; a cunnel, 
two majors, a sargeon, two cap'ns, an' the rest lef- 
tenants." 

" Whar's thar weapons ?" 

" Thar swords is in the hall-way. None on 'em hain't 
pistols 'cept the sargeon — he mought hev a 'volver." 

" What nigs is they round ?" 

" Nary one, I reckon, more'n a old man thar (point 
ing to the kitchen building) an' the gals in the house." 

" Wall, I'll let ye go fur this, ef ye's telled the truth. 
Ef ye hain't, ye'd better be a sayin' yer prayers ter 
onst, fur the Lord wont yere ye on the t'other side uv 
Jurdan." 

Fastening his horse in " the timber," and creeping up 
to the house, he then reconnoitered the kitchen prem- 
ises. The old man — a stout, stalwart negro of about 
fifty — sat dozing in the corner, and his wife, a young 
mulatto woman, was cooking wild-fowl over the fire. 
Opening the door, and placing his finger on his Ups to 
enjoin silence, Bible beckoned to the woman. She 
.mme to him, and looking her full in the eye for a 
moment, he said to her : ''I kin trust ye. Wud ye 'an 
yer old 'un loike ter git out o' the claws uv these durned 
seceeh ?" 



NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 179 

'^Yas, yas, massa," she replied, ''we wud. We's 
Union ! We'd loike ter git 'way, massa !" 

Then awakening her husband, Bible said to him : 
'* Uncle, wud yer risk yer life fur yer freedom ?" 

" Ef dar's a chance, massa, a right smart chance. 
Dis dark'y tinks a heap ob his life, he does, massa. 
It 'm 'bout all him got." 

"Yas, yas, I know; but ye shill hev freedom. I'll 
see ye ter the Free States, ef ye'll holp tuck them secesh 
osaifers." 

" Holp tuck dem, massa ! Why, dar's a dozen on 'em ; 
dey'd chaw ye up in no time," exclaimed the astonished 
African. 

" No, thar hain't a dozen on 'em ; thar's only nine ; 
but — ^ye's a coward," replied the scout. 

" No, I hain't no coward, massa ; but I loikes a chance, 
massa, a right smart chance." 

Bible soon convinced the negro that he would have a 
"right smart chance," and he consented to make the 
hazardous strike for his freedom. Entering the house, 
he returned in a few moments to the scout, confirming 
the sentinel's report : the weapons were reposing quietly 
in the hall, near the doorway, and the officers, very 
much the worse for liquor, were carousing with his mas- 
ter in the dining-room. 

Selecting three of the best horses from the stables, 
Bible directed the yellow woman to lead them into the 
road, and to bring his own from where it was fastened 
in the woods. Then, with his sooty ally, the scout 
ent^ired the mansion. Removing the arms from the hall, 
he walked boldly into the dining-room. " Gentlemen," 
he said, pointing his pistols— one in each hand — at thf 



180 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

rebel officers, " ye is my pris'ners. Surrender yer shootr 
in' irons, or ye's dade men." 

" Who are you ?" exclaimed one of them, as they aU 
sprang to their feet. 

'* Cunnel Smith, uv the Fust Tennessee Nigger Ee^- 
ment — one old black man an' a yaller 'ooman,*' coolly 
replied the scout. 

"Go to ," shouted the surgeon, quickly drawing 

his revolver, and discharging it directly at Bible's face. 
The ball grazed his head, cut off a lock of hair just above 
his ear, and lodged in the wall at his back. The report 
was still sounding through the apartment, when the sur- 
geon uttered a wild cry, sprang a few feet in the air, and 
fell lifeless to the floor ! The negro had shot him. 

" Come, gentlemen, none o' thet," said Bible, as coolly 
as if nothing had happened, " guv me the shootin' iron, 
an' surrender, or we'll sot the rest on ye ter his wuck — 
rakin' coals fur the devil's funnace — in less nur a min- 
nit." 

Without more hesitation the rebel colonel handed the 
Bcout the fallen man's pistol, and then all, followed by 
the scout and the negro, marched quietly out of the 
front door. The mulatto woman, holding the horses, 
was standing in the highway. 

" Hitch the nags, my purty gal," said the scout, " an' 
git a coil. An' ye, gentlemen, sot down, an' say nothin' 
— 'cept it mought be yer prayers ; but them, I reckon, 
ye hain't larned yit." 

The negress soon returned with the rope, and while 
Bible and her husband covered them with their revolvers, 
she tied t':e arms of the prostrate chivalry. When this 
was done, the scout affixed a long rope to the waist of 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 18i 

the officer on either flank of the column, and, taking on€ 
in his own band, and giving the other to the i.o/rro, 
cried out • 
" Sogers uv the Fust Tennessee ! Mount !" 
The regiment bounded into the saddle, and in that 
plight — the planter and the eight captive officers march- 
ing on before, the self-appointed '^ cunnel" and his chief 
officer bringing up the rear, and the rest of his command — 
the yellow woman — astraddle of a horse between them, 
they entered the Union lines. 

On another occasion, hunted down by several compar 
nies of rebel cavalry, Bible took refuge in a grove of 
laurel bushes. Among the bushes was a hollow tree in 
which he had once or twice slept on previous expedi- 
tions. It had been overthrown by a tornado, and the 
soil still clung, in huge boulders, to its upturned roots. 
Creeping into this tree, he closed the small opening with 
earth, and boring a hole through the trunk with his 
Bowie-knife to admit air, and give him a look-out on 
his pursuers, he lay there without food for three days 
and nights. The rebels saw him enter the grove, and 
at once surrounded it, so that escape was impossible. A 
party then beat the bushes, and after examining every 
square yard of the ground, came and sat upon the 
hollow tree. Listening, he heard them recount some 
of his exploits, and assert very positively, that he had 
sold himself to that notorious dealer in human chattels 
— the devil — who, they thought, had given him power 
to make himself invisible at will. " An' bein' thet's so, 
cumrades," very logically remarked one of the number. 
*'^doan't it nat'rally foUer thet the devil ar' on the Union 



182 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

side, an' moughtent we 'bout so wall guv it up fur a 
dade beat 'ter oust !" 

When the rebel array retreated from Murfreesborr), 
its advance column came suddenly upon the scout as he 
was eating his breakfast in an " oak opening" near the 
highway. There was no chance of escape or conceal- 
ment, for the "opening" was covered with immense 
trees standing fifteen and twenty feet apart, with only 
a fehort grass growing between them. Bible was dis- 
guised in an immense mass of red hair and beard, and 
wore a tattered suit of the coarse homespun of the dis- 
trict. Knowing he would certainly be discovered, he 
assumed a vacant, rustic look, and, rising from the 
ground, gazed stupidly at the soldiery. 

" I say, green one, what are you doing thar?" shouted 
the ofiicer at the head of the column. 

" I'se loss my cow-brutes, cunnel," replied the scout ^ 
*' two right loikely hefiers ; 'un on 'em speckle all over, 
'cept the tail, an' thet white'n yer fkce. Ye hain't seed 
'em no whar 'long the road, nohow, hes ye ?" 

'' No, I hain't seed 'em, no whar, nohow," rejoined 
the ojQBcer. '* Come, step into the ranks ; we need jusi 
such fellows as you are. Why the devil haven't they 
conscripted you before. Step into the ranks, I say," he 
repeated, as Bible, not seeming to comprehend his 
meaning, remained standing in his previous position. 
The second command having no more effect on him 
than the first, the oflBcer directed a couple of soldiers to 
take Bible between them, and to fall in at the rear of 
tlie column. It was not till he was fairly in the road 
that the scout seemed to awaken to the reality of hip 
•londition. 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AffD DETECTIVES. 183 

' Why, why, ye hain't a gwine to tuck me 'long 
o' ye !" he exclaimed, frantically appealing to the 
** cunnel." " Ye hain't a gwine ter tuck me 'long o' ye! 
Ye karn't mean thet !" 

" We do mean that, and you just keep quiet, or, hke 
St. Paul, you'll fight against the pricks," said the officer, 
alluding perhaps to the bayonets which the two soldiers 
had unslung and were holding ready to apply to Bible's 
flanks. 

" Why, ye karn't mean thet ! ye karn't mean thet, 
cunnel !" again piteously cried the scout, " Wh — wh 
— whot'll become on the old 'ooman — whot'll become on 
the cow-brutes ?" 

*' D — n the old woman and the cow-brutes," shouted 
the officer, riding forward and leaving the new recruit 
to his fate. And thus Bible marched to the Tullahoma, 
and thus he enlisted in the second regiment of Alabama 
Infantry. 

He remained a fortnight at Tullahoma, and while 
there obtained a correct idea of the number and dispo- 
sition of the enemies' forces, and brought away with 
him, in his head, an accurate map of the rebel fortificar 
tions. Desertions being frequent, the picket lines had 
been doubled, and when he was ready to leave, it had 
become next to impossible to penetrate them. But he 
was equal to the emergency, and hit upon a bold expe- 
dient which proved successful. 

Restrictions had been laid by the commanding genert^ 
on the importation of whiskey, and the use of that 
article, which is a sort of necessity to the Southern 
" native," had been prohibited within the lines of the 
army — except on the eve of battle Then the cold water 



184 NARRATIVES OP SPIES, SCJOUTS, AND ilETECTIVES. 

generals, themselves, dealt it out — mixed with gun- 
powder — ^to every man in the ranks. The regulations 
concerning it were rigidly enforced in all the divisions 
except Hardee's. That general — ^to whose corps Bible 
belonged — ^who has, notoriously, a weakness for " spirits" 
and negro women, winked at the indulgence of his men 
in those luxuries, when it did not interfere with theiir 
strict observance of " Hardee's Tactics." 

Knowing his proclivities, Bible, one evening just after 
sunset, took a tin "jug" under his arm, and sauntered 
past the general's tent. 

" I say," shouted Hardee, catching sight of the long 
firm of the scout, "where are you going with that big 
cajiteen ?" 

" Ter git some bustr-head, giniral. Ye knows we 
kam't live wuthout thet," replied Bible, with affected 
simplicity. 

" Perhaps you kam't : don't you know it's against 
regulations. I'll string you up, and give you fifty." 

" Oh, no ! ye woan't do thet, I knows, giniral, fur ye's 
a feller feelin' for we pore sogers," said Bible. " We 
kam't live wuthout a leetle ruin; wuthout a leetle, 
nohow, giniral !" 

" Where do you expect to get it ?" asked the general. 

"Ter Squire Pursley's," said the scout, naming a 
planter living a few miles outside of the lines. " He's 
got some on the tallest old rye ye uver seed. I knows 
him. An' he's the biggest brandy, too, an' the purtiest 
nigger gal (rolling his tongue in his mouth and smacking 
his lips) thar is anywhar round. She's whiter'n ye is, 
giniral, an' the snuggest piece uv house fumitur' as uver 
wus grow'd." 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 185 

" And how do you expect to pas« the pickets ?" asked 
the standard authority on " Tactics." 

*' I reckon' this wull brung 'em," answered Bible, tap 
ping his canteen significantly. 

" Well, it wont," replied the general, laughing ; " but 
I'll give you something that will. And here, take this 
canteen and get me some of that ' big brandy,' and teQ 
the squire I'll be over there one of these days." 

The general gave Bible a pass, another canteen, and 
five dollars of Confederate scrip, to effectually " raise 
the spirits ;" and then the scout, saying, " Ye kin reckon 
on gittin' sich brandy, giniral, as wull sot ye up so high 
ye'll nuver come down agin,'* walked leisurely out of the 
rebel lines. 

Once, while scouting near McMinnville, Bible was 
captured by a small party of Forrest's cavalry. One of 
the Confederates knew him, and he was told he must 
die. Throwing a rope over the limb of a tree, they 
adjusted it about his neck, and the rebel ofiicer, taking 
out his watch, said to him : " You can have five minutes 
to say your prayers." 

"I thanks ye, cap'n," said Bible; "fur thet shows 
ye's got a spark uv humin feelin' in ye ; an' ef ye'll jest 
pile a lettle light 'ood on ter thet spark, it mought be it 
'ud blaze up an' make ye a better man nur ye is, or kin 
be, whiles ye's a fightin' agin' yer kentry. As ter prajan*^ 
.^.ap'n, I doan't need no time fur thet; fur I'se allers a 
prayin', not wuth words — but silent, deep, down yere" 
— placing his hand on his heart — "whar I'se allers a 
sayin' *OuR Father!' Our Father, cap'n; ymii^n &» 
wull as mine ! An' doan't ye 'spose He's luckin down 
on ye now sorry, grieved ter His vury heart thet ye, 



186 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

His chile, thet His own Son died a wus death nur this 
fur, should be a doin' whot ye is? — not a hangin' uv me; 
I hain't no complaint ter make o' thet, fur it'r His wull, 
or ye wouldn't be a doin' on it — but sorry thet ye's lifted 
yer hand agin' yer kentry, agin truth, an' right, an' the 
vury liberty ye talks so much about. Prayin'! T'se 
allers a prayin', cap'n ; allers been a prayin' uver sense 
Sally said ter me : * Pray, Bible, fur it'r the only way yt 
kin come nigh ter Him : it'r the only way ye kin know, 
fur shore, thet ye's His raal chile.' An' I does know 
Fse his chile, 'case I loves ter pray; an' I'll pray fur ye, 
cap'n — ye needs it more nur me. It woan't do ye no hurt, 
an' it mought do ye some good, fur the Lord promises ter 
y ere His chillen, an' He has yered me, over an' over agin." 

The five minutes had elapsed, but the Confederate 
officer still stood with his watch in his hand. At last, 
turning suddenly away, he said to his men : 

"Take off the rope! Take him to the general. He 
may do what he likes with him. I'll be d — d if I'll 
hang him." 

Before they reached Forrest's headquarters at McMinn- 
ville, they were set upon by a squad of Union cavalry, 
who rescued the prisoner, captured a half dozen of the 
privates, and gave the captain a mortal wound in the 
side. Bible laid him upon the grass, and, taking hip 
head tenderly in his lap, prayed for him. As the captain 
turned 'lis eyes to take a last look at the setting sun, he 
placed the scout's hand against his heart, and saying: 
" I'm going now — I feel at peace — I owe it to you — 
God bless you for it, may (jOD forever bless you," he 
nttered a low moan and died. 

While the rebel forces lay encamped around Chatta 



NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 187 

oooga, Bible made them a protessional visit. For two 
days, from the top of Lookout Mountam, he looked down 
on their fortifications. With the works fully mapped 
in his mind, so that, in his rude way, he could sketch 
them upon paper, he started, just at nightfall of a murky, 
stormy day, to make his way northward. Arriving 
at the house of a pretended friend, he took supper, and 
retired to sleep in a small room on the ground floor. It 
was not far from eleven o' clock, and raining and blow- 
ing violently, when a light rap came at his window. 
He got up — he always slept in his clothes, with his armt 
about him — and applying his ear to the glass, heard a 
low voice say : 

"Ye is betrayed. Come out ter onst. They'll be 
yere in a hour." 

He lifted the sash, and, springing lightly into the 
yard, saw — as well as the night would permit — a young 
octoroon woman standing unprotected in the storm, 
thinly clad, and drenched from head to foot. Leading 
him out into the darkness, she said to him : 

"This man's son war at master's house not a hour 
back. He's telled on ye ter git the reward! They's 
'spectin' the cavalry uvery minnit. Hark ! I yere's 'em 
now!" 

While she yet spoke he heard the heavy tramp of 
horsemen along the highway. Placing her hand in his, 
the woman fled hurriedly to the woods. When they 
had gone about a mile, she paused, and said to him : 

" I karn't go no furder. I must git home or they 11 
'spect suthin'. When they find ye's gone, the cavalry '11 
make fur the landin'. Ye must go up the river, an 
'bout two mile frum yere ye'U find a yawl. It'r chained. 



t88 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIVES. 

but ye kin break thet. Doan't cross over — a hull i-egi- 
ment is 'camped on t'other side — ^put up the river so fur 
as 3 6 kin." 

With a mutual " God bless ye," they parted. Bible 
made his way to the river, and narrowly inspected its 
banks, but no boat was to be seen ! He had spent two 
hours in the search, when he came to a bend in the stream 
which gave him an uninterrupted view of it for miles 
below. All along the river the air was alive with torches 
hurrying to and fro. He knew his pursuers would soon be 
upon him, and ejaculating a short prayer, in which he re« 
minded the Lord that the information he carried in his 
head was of "no oncommon vallu, orter be got ter the 
giniral ter onst, an' wouldn't be uv no yerthly use" if he 
were hanged just then, he crept down to the water. 
Entangled in the underbrush just above him was a 
large log, the estray property of some up-country sawyer. 
Dropping himself into the water, he made his way to 
the log, and, laying down on it at full length, paddled 
out into the river. When he had reached the middle of 
the stream, he let himself drift down with the current, 
and in a short time was among his pursuers. A thou- 
sand torches blazing on either bank lit up the narrow 
river with a lurid glare, and made the smallest object 
on its surface distinctly visible. Knowing that if he 
kept his position he would certainly be seen, Bible rolled 
oflF into the water, turned over on his back, and, keeping 
one hand upon the log, floated along beside it. When 
he came opposite to the landing, he heard one cavalry- 
man say to another : 

" See ! thar's a log ; moughtent the dumed critter be 
on thet r 



NARRATIVES OF SRES, SCOUTS, AND DETECTIYES. 189 

" No," replied the o ler ; " thar's nothin' on it. Yei 
eyes is no better 'n mc s." 

" Wall, I'll guv it a lot, anyhow," rejoined the first, 
and fired his carbine. The bullet glanced from the log, 
and struck the water a few feet from the scout. The 
one shot attracted others, and for a few minutes the balls 
fell thickly around him, but he escaped unhurt ! The 
God to whom he had prayed shielded him, and brought 
him safely out of the hands of his enemies. In six days, 
after unparalleled hardships, he reached the Union lines. 

A few days before I left Murfreesboro, Bible staited 
on another trip into the enemies' lines to establish a 
chain of spy stations up to Bragg's headquarters. He 
succeeded in the perilous enterprise, and, when I last 
heard of him, was pursuing his usual avocation, doing 
really more service to the country than many a star- 
shouldered gentleman who is talked of now in the news- 
papers, and may be read of centuries hence in history. 

If I have outlined his character distinctly, the reader 
has perceived that he is brave, simple-hearted, outspoken, 
hospitable, enterprising, industiious, loyal to liberty, 
earnest in his convictions — though ignorantly confound- 
ing names with things — a good husband and father, with 
a quiet humor which flavors character as Worcestei 
sauce flavors a good dinner, a practical wisdom which 
" trusts in the Lord, but keeps its powder dry,'* some 
talent for bragging, and that intensity of nature and dis- 
position to magnify every thing (illustrated in his storied 
and conversation) which leads the Southerner to do noth- 
ing by halves, to throw his whole soul into whatever he 
undertakes, to be, like Jeremiah's figs, " if good, very 
good : if bad, not fit to feed the pigs." Though morally 



190 NARRATIVES OF SPIES, SCOUT?, AND DETECTIVES. 

and intellectually superior to the lass of " poor Southern 
whites," he is still a good repi ientative of the class. 
They nearly all possess the san traits that he does, 
and differ from him only in deg e, not in kind. That 
is saying little against them, 1 r one might travel a 
whole summer' 5 day in our Northern cities, and not 
meet many men who, in all that makes true manhood, 
are his equals. 



Three Soldiers Captured by a Boy with a Cofpee- 
PoT. — An amusing instance of the value of a ready wit 
and presence of mind occurred during the advance of 
the Second Corps of Federal troops, near Hatcher's Run 
A joung lad in the Fourteenth Connecticut regiment, 
going with a coffee-pot to get water from the stream, 
suddenly found himself surrounded by three of the 
enem^. 

With all the fierceness of voice the little fellow could 
muster, he commanded them to throw down their arms 
and surrender. Supposing that the brave youth had 
companions near to enforce his command, they complied, 
when he seized one of their muskets and marched them 
into camp in great triumph. This story was related in 
his camp as the capture of ihree Oohnnies with a coffee- 
pot. 



THE GREAT RAILROAD CHASE. 

The most remarkable and thrilling railroad adventure 
that ever occurred on the American continent, was that 
which happened to the twenty-two members of an ex- 
pedition sent out by the Union General 0. M. Mitchel, 
to destroy the communication on the Georgia State Rail- 
road, between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The expedi- 
tion itself, in the daring of its conception, possessed the 
wildness of a romance, and which, had it been success- 
ful, would have suddenly and completely changed the 
whole aspect of the war in the South and Southwest. 
It was as sublime in the results aimed at, as it was dar- 
ing in execution ; for it would have given full possession 
of all East Tennessee to the Union forces, which, movin" 
then on Lynchburg, would have had the valley of Vir- 
ginia at their mercy, and could have attacked StonewaU 
Jackson in the rear. In addition to this advantage, 
they would have held the railroad to Charlottesville and 
Orange Court House, as well as the Southside railroad 
leading to Petersburg and Richmond; and thus, by 
uniting with McClellan's army, could have attacked the 
rebel General Joe Johnston's army, front and llank. 
driven him from Virginia, and flanked Beauregard 

(191) 



192 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

This admirable cmnp ^etat, the sagacity and importanci 
of which challenged even the warmest admiration of the 
Confederates themselves, as being "the deepest laid 
scheme, and on the grandest scale, that ever emanated 
from the brains of any number of Yankees combined,** 
was planned and set on foot in April, 1862, by Mr. J. 
J. Andrews, a citizen of Kentucky, who had been pre- 
viously engaged in the secret service of the United 
States Government. The plan of operations which he 
proposed was to reach a point on the State road, where 
they could seize a locomotive and train of cars, and then 
dash back in the direction of Chattanooga, cutting the 
telegraph wires and burning the bridges behind them as 
they went, until they reached theii own lines. The 
party consisted of twenty-four men, who, with the ex- 
ception of its leader, Mr. Andrews, and another citizen 
of Kentucky, William Campbell by name — who volun 
teered as substitute for a soldier — were selected from 
different companies of the Second, Twenty-first, and 
Twenty-third Ohio regiments, with particular reference 
to their known courage and discretion. These brave men 
were informed that the movement was to be a secret one, 
and doubtless comprehended something of its perils ; but 
Mr. Andrews and one other alone seem to have known any 
thing of its precise direction and object. They all, how- 
ever, cheerfully and voluntarily engaged in it; and before 
starting, Andrews divided among them seven hundred 
dollars of Confederate scrip, informed them that they 
were now venturing upon important and dangerous duty, 
and threatened to shoot on the spot the first man that 
got drunk or flinched in the least. They then made 
their way through the lines in parties of two and three, 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

in citizens' dress, and carrying only side arms, to Chatta- 
nooga, the point of rendezvous agreed upon, where 
twenty-two out of the twenty-four arrived safely. Here 
they took passage, without attracting attention, for 
Marietta, which place they reached at twelve o'clock on 
the night of the 11th of April. The next mornings be- 
fore daylight, they took the cars and went back od the 
same road to a place called Big Shanty, a regular stop- 
ping-place for refreshments, and where, within forty or 
fifty yards of the road, some twenty thousand Confeder 
ate troops were encamped, it being a general rendezvous 
for recruits and the organization of regiments. The 
train upon which the conspirators were, contained, also, 
a number of soldiers, as well as citizens, together with a 
quantity of provisions, and an iron safe containing a 
large amount of Confederate money, designed for the 
payment of the rebel troops at Corinth, Mississippi- 
Here, for the first time, they knew the nature of their 
duty, which was to destroy the track and bridges from 
Big Shanty, to and beyond Chattanoog^i, or as far as 
Bridgeport, Tennessee. This section of the road is built 
over innumerable creeks and rivers; and as General 
Mitchel had already cut oflf all communication from 
Corinth, by holding Huntsville, Alabama, the destruc- 
tion of bridges which they were expected to effect, would 
have completely prevented rebel reinforcements and 
commissary stores from reaching Virginia, Tennessee, 
and Georgia. 

At Big Shanty, therefore, the train stopped for break 
fast, and passengers, conductor, engineer, and " hands," 
all went into the saloon, and were soon engaged in en- 
joying their matutin*il meal. The conspirators were 

13 



194 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN 

proiript to seize the golden moment of opportunity now 
offered to them. Leaving the cars, they quietly and 
naturally grouped together in squads of three and four, 
taking station with apparent carelessness on each side 
of the train. Andrews stationing himself at the coupling 
pin of the third car. A number of their party were 
engineers, and thoroughly understood the business in 
hand. One of these engineers was at his post, and 
found every thing right. All hands then quickly mounted 
the cars, although the guard was within three feet of 
them ; the word was given, Andrews drew the coupling 
pin and cried, " All right !" The engineer opened the 
valve and put on all steam, and the train, now consist- 
ing of three box cars and the engine, moved quietly but 
swiftly off — leaving rebel conductor, engineer, passen- 
gers, spectators, and the soldiers in the camp near by, 
all lost in amazement, and dumbfounded at the strange, 
startling, and daring act. And now commenced the 
most exciting railroad race and chase, which it has ever 
fallen to the pen of historian to describe. They soon 
lost sight of the lights at Big Shanty station, and at the 
first curve the train was stopped just long enough to 
allow one of the party to climb the telegraph pole and 
cut the wires. Starting again, they pushed along — 
making stops here and there to tear up the track, and 
taking with them on the cars a few of the rails thus re- 
moved. But unforseen difficulty now began to meet 
them. According to the schedule of the road, of which 
Mr. Andrews had possessed himself, they should have 
met but a single train on that day, whereas they met 
three, two of which were er gaged on extraordinary ser- 
vice, and they were compelled to switch off and let them 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 195 

pass. At the first station where this happened, the 
engineer of the road made his appearance, and was about 
to step on the engine, when Andrews told him he could 
not come on board, as this was an extra train running 
through to Corinth, and that his party were engaged to 
run it, and in support of his assertion the iron safe was 
»hown. This apparently satisfied the engineer, and after 
taking in wood and water, the train again started. A 
second time they were compelled to switch ofi", and in 
order to get the switch-keys, Andrews, who knew the 
road well, went into the station and took them from the 
office. This caused considerable excitement, which he 
partly quieted by stating that the train contained gun- 
powder for Beauregard, at Corinth. About an hour was 
lost in waiting to allow these trains to pass, which, of 
course, enabled their pursuers to press closely after them. 
But they pushed on as rapidly as possible, removing 
rails, throwing out obstructions along the track, and 
cutting the telegraph lines from time to time — attaining, 
when in motion, a speed of sixty miles per hour — but 
they could not regain the time which they had lost. 
Reaching a bridge about twenty miles south of Dalton, 
Georgia, they set fire to one of their cars, piled on wood, 
and left it on the bridge, to which they thus hoped to 
set fire. 

Now, let us return to the rebel engineer, conductor, 
and passengers, thus unceremoniously left at Big Shanty, 
by the amazing and sudden disappearance of the engine 
and part of the train. The party who had thus stolen 
the march upon them, had evidently done so at that 
time and place, wi'h the presumption that pursuit could 
not be made by an ngine short of Kingston, some thirty 



196 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

miles above Big Shanty ; and that, by cutting the tele 
graph wires as they proceeded, they should gain at leaat 
three or four hours' start oT any pursuit which could be 
made. This was a legitimate and reasonable conclusion, 
and but for the energy and quick judgment of Mr. Fuller, 
ihe conductor, and Mr. Cain, the engineer of the stolen 
train, and of Mr. Anthony Murphy, foreman of the 
Wood Department of the State road, who accidentally 
happened on the train that morning, the plans of Mr, 
Andrews and his party would have resulted as origin- 
ally contemplated, and with crushing disaster to the 
rebel cause. 

But these three determined men, without a moment's 
delay, put out after the flying train on foot, amidst 
shouts of laughter from the crowd, who, though lost in 
amazement at the unexpected and daring act, could not 
repress their merriment at seeing three men starting on 
foot after a train which had just whirled away from before 
their eyes, under the highest power of steam. But Messrs. 
Fuller, Cain, and Murphy, nowise daunted by the disparity 
of motive power, put on all their speed and ran along the 
track for three miles, until they came up with some track 
raisers who had a small truck car, which is shoved along 
by men so employed on railroads, on which to carry their 
tools. Truck and men were at once " impressed," and 
they took it by turns of two at a time to run behind the 
truck and push it along all up-grades and level portions 
of the road, and let it drive at will on all the down- 
grades. Reaching the spot where the runaways had cut 
the telegraph wires and torn up the track, they found 
themselves suddenly tumbled out, pell-mell, truck and 
men, upc i the side of the road. Finding, however, that 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 197 

'* nobody was hurt oii our side," the plucky " rebs " put 
the truck again on the track, left some hands to repair 
the road, and with all the power of determined will and 
muscle, they pushed on to Etowah station, some thirty 
miles above. Here, the first thing that met their sight 
was the " Yonah," an old coal engine, one of the first 
ever used on the State road, standing already '' fired up." 
This venerable locomotive was immediately turned 
upon the track, and like an old racer at the tap of the 
drum, pricked up her ears and made fine time to Kings- 
ton. There they found themselves but twenty minutes 
behind the runaway train ; and leaving the "Yonah" 
to blow ofi; they mounted the engine of the Rine Branch 
road, which was ready fired up, and waiting for the 
arrival of the passenger train nearly due. Here a num- 
ber of persons volunteered for the chase, taking such 
arms as they could lay their hands on at the moment, 
and with the fresh engine they started for Adamsville. 
But a little before reaching that place they found the 
train at a standstill, in consequence of the destruction 
of a portion of the road by the Yankee runaways. This 
was vexatious, but it did not discourage Fuller and 
Murphy, who left the engine and once more put out o7i 
foot, alone. After two miles running, they met the 
down freight train from Adamsville — reversed and ran 
it backward to that place, switched off the cars on 
side track, and with the engine made fine time to 
Calhoun, where they met the regular down passenger 
train. Here they made a momentary halt, took on 
board a number of well armed volunteers, a company of 
track hands to repair the track as they went along, and 
a telegraph operator, and continued the chase. A short 



198 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

distance above Calhoun they saw, for the first time, the 
runaway train ahead of them. The " Yanks," supposing 
themselves now well out of danger, were quietly oiling 
the engine, taking up track, etc., but finding themselves 
discovered, they mounted and sped away, throwing out 
upon the track, as they fled, the heavy cross-ties with 
which they had provided themselves ; which was done 
by breaking out the end of the hindmost box car, and 
pitching them out. The rails which they had last taken 
up they now carried off with them, but their rebel 
pursuers, on coming to where the rails were torn up, 
stopped, tore up the rails behind them and laid them 
down, without fastening, before the engine, which ran 
over them cautiously but safely ; and then carefully 
throwing off from the track the cross-ties which had 
been thrown there to impede their progress, pushed on 
after the fugitives. Now the race became terrible in its- 
intensity. " Nip and tuck " the two trains swept with 
fearful speed past Resaca, Tilton, and on through 
Dalton, where the rebel train stopped to put off the tele- 
graph operator, with instructions to telegraph to Chatta- 
nooga to have them stopped there, in case he should 
fail to overhaul them. On and on, fast and still faster 
the rebel train pressed with hot speed, sometimes in 
sight, as much to prevent their cutting the wires be- 
fore the message could be sent, as to catch them. The 
daring Yankees indeed stopped just opposite, and very 
near to the encampment of a rebel regiment, and cut the 
wires, but the operator who had been dropped at Dalton 
had^^ the message tJirough about two minutes before. 
They also again tore up the track, cut down a telegraph 
pole, and placed the two ends of it under the cross-ties. 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 19 1) 

and the middle over the rail on the track. Their pnr- 
Buers, however, got over this impediment in the same 
manner they did before — taking up rails behind and 
laying them down before. Once over this, they shot 
through the great tunnel at Tunnel Hill, only Jive 
minutes hehind the adventurous " Feds," who, finding 
themselves closely pressed, uncoupled two of the box- 
cars from their engine, hoping to impede the progress of 
their pursuers. Quick-witted Fuller, however, hastily 
coupled them to the front of his engine, and pushed them 
ahead of him to the first turn-out, where he switched 
them off out of his way, and dashed ahead. As they 
passed Ringgold, the runaways began to show signs of 
"• giving out." They were out of wood, water, and oil ; 
their rapid running and inattention to the engine had 
melted all the brass from its journals ; and they had no 
time for repair, so rapid was the pursuit. Nearer and 
nearer panted the iron steed behind them, until, when 
it was within four hundred yards of them, seeing that 
their only safety was in flight, they jumped from the 
engine, scattering in the tliicket, each for himself And 
now their troubles commenced. The whole country 
immediately swarmed with armed pursuers. Unac- 
quainted with the country, they lost their way, were 
hunted down by mounted men and bloodhounds, and 
finally were all captured. Their plan had failed from 
causes which reflected neither upon the genius by which 
it w^as planned, nor upon the intrepidity and discretion 
of those engaged in it, but from a combination of unfore- 
seen circumstances. It was a plan which the rebels 
themselves declared to have been " entirely practicable 
on almost any day for the last year," but they did not 



200 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

expect to meet two " extraordinary" or special trains on 
the road ; they did not expect that any men would be 
so apparently foolhardy as to attempt their pursuit on 
foot; and they did not expect that their pursuers would 
find any such " God-send" as the old coal engine, 
" Yonah," standing on the track, ready fired up. Their 
calculations on every other point were admitted by their 
enemies, and those best acquainted with the road and 
its arrangements, to have been " dead certainties," which 
would have met with perfect success. 

It might have been hoped that the signal bravery of 
such an exploit would have commanded the respect of 
their captors, and mitigated in some degree the resent- 
ment which such an attempt excited. But it was 
not so. 

The twenty-two captives, when secured, were thrust 
into the negro jail at Chattanooga. There they occu- 
pied a single room, half under ground, and but thirteen 
feet square, so that there was not space enough for 
them all to lie down together, and a part of them were, 
in consequence, obliged to sleep sitting and leaning 
against the walls. The only entrance to this vile room 
was through a trap door in the ceiling, through which, 
twice a day, their scanty meals were lowered in a 
bucket ; and they had no other light or ventilation than 
that which came through two small, triple grated win- 
dows. They were covered with swarming vermin, and 
the oppressiveness of the heat obliged them to strip 
themselves entirely naked. Added to this, they were all 
handcuffed, and fastened to each other in companies of 
twos and threes, by trail chains, secured with padlocks 
around their necks. Their food, doled out to them 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 201 

twice a day, consisted of a little flour moistened with 
water, and baked in the form of bread, together with 
spoiled pickled beef And, as their pockets had been 
rifled of whatever money they contained at the time of 
their capture, they were utterly without the means to pro 
cure any better supplies from outside. Shortly after their 
capture, Jacob Parrot, an orphan boy, aged twenty 
years, belonging to the Thirty-third Regiment of Ohio 
Volunteers, was taken by a Confederate oflBcer and four 
soldiers, who stripped him, bent him over a stone, and 
while two pistols were held to his head, a lieutenant 
in rebel uniform inflicted, with a raw hide, over a bun- 
dled lashes on his bare back. This was done in the 
presence of an infuriated crowd, who clamored for his 
death, and actually brought a rope with which to hang 
him. The object of this prolonged scourging was to 
force from him (the youngest of the the party) a confes- 
sion as to the objects of the expedition and the names 
of his comrades, especially that of the engineer who had 
run the train. Three times, in the course of this horri- 
ble flogging, it was suspended, and young Parrot was 
asked if he would confess; but, steadily and firmly, 
with unswerving fidelity to the trusts of friendship and 
the inspirations of patriotism, he refused all disclosures, 
and it was not until his tormenters were weary of their 
cruel labor, that they abandoned the attempt. 

While thus imprisoned at Chattanooga, their leader, 
Mr. Andrews, was tried, condemned, and executed as a 
spy, at Atlanta, on the 7th of June. The remainder, 
although strong and healthy when they entered this 
prison, at the end of three weeks, when they were re- 
quired to leave it, were so exhausted by their confine- 



202 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

ment and treatment, as scarcely to be able to walk. 
Finally, twelve of their number were transferred to the 
prison at Knoxville, Tenn., and there seven of them 
were tried by court-martial as spies. Their trial, of 
course, was summary, and although permitted to be 
present, they were not allowed to hear either the argu- 
ment of their own counsel or of the judge-advocate. 
Their counsel, however, afterward visited them in prison, 
and read to them his argument, which was, in substance, 
that the fact of their being dressed in citizens' clothes 
was no more than what had been authorized in similar 
cases by the Confederate Government itself; that the 
object of the expedition was a purely military one, and 
as such lawful, according to the rules of war ; and that 
not having lingered about or visited any of the camps, 
obtaining or seeking information, they could not rightly 
be considered as spies. This just and unanswerable 
presentation of the case, appears to have produced a 
favorable impression, and the whole party soon after 
were removed to Atlanta, Ga., under the impression that 
those who had been tried had been acquitted. But, on 
the 18th of June, after their arrival at Atlanta, their 
prison door was opened, and, without warning, the death- 
sentence was read to the seven who had been tried at 
Knoxville, and who, little dreaming of their hapless 
fate, were even then engaged in whiling away the time 
by playing euchre. No time for preparation was allowed 
— they were bid to say farewell to their comrades, and 
•* be quick about it" — then were tied, carried out, and 
hung. One of their number, too ill to walk, was 
pinioned like the rest, and dragged off in this condition 
♦» the scaffold ; while two, whose weight broke the ropes 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 203 

which suspended them, were denied another hour's 
respite for prayer. One of their number, Alfred Wilson, 
of the Twenty-first Ohio, did not hesitate, while stand 
ing under the gallows, to make a brief, manly, and 
patriotic address to the scowling mob who surrounded 
him. 

The remaining prisoners, now reduced to fourteen, 
were kept closely confined under special guard, in the 
Atlanta jail, until October, when, overhearing a conver- 
sation among their guards, they became convinced that 
they were to be hung, as their companions had been. 
This led them to devise a way of escape, which they 
carried out on the evening of the next day, by seizing 
the jailor when he opened the door to carry away the 
bucket in which their supper had been brought. Seizing 
and disarming the guards, eight of the fugitives were 
soon beyond pursuit. Of these, six, after long and pain- 
ful wanderings, succeeded in reaching the Union lines. 
Of the other two, nothing has ever been heard. The 
remaining six of the fourteen were recaptured and con- 
fined in the barracks until December, when they were 
removed to Richmond, where they were confined in 
Castle Thunder. There they shivered through the 
winter, without fire, thinly clad, and with but two small 
blankets, which they had saved with their clothes, to 
cover the whole party. So they remained until the 
early part of March, 1863, when they were exchanged; 
and thus, at the end of eleven months, terminated their 
pitiless sufierings and persecutions in the South — perse- 
cutions begun and continued amid indignities and suffer- 
ings on their part, and atrocities on the part of their 
captors, which illustrate, more fully than pen or wordi? 



liUl DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

can ever express, the diabolical spirit of the rebellion, 
against which they and thousands of our brave Union 
soldiers have fought and suffered in every part of the 
South. 



The railroad lines along the border were the scenes 
of some startling adventures and narrow escapes, during 
the war. The following, very graphically told by a 
former engineer, has the merit also of truthfulness : 

THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CURVE. 

AN EX-ENQINEER'S STORY. 

" Among the many incidents that during the late 
rebellion were connected with that great national artery, 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, is one that I will 
relate. 

" In the fall of 1861, having been detained by business 
in the town of Cumberland, Maryland, I was at last 
about to start for Wheeling, when I learned by a de- 
spatch that the road was occupied below Harper's Ferry 
by a force of rebels, and therefore no train would pass. 

" This proved to be true in reference to ordinary trains, 
but a * special,' with which was the Hon. Mr. Pierpont, 
and a few other notabilities, had passed before the rebels 
cut the track, and was therefore approaching. On 
inquiry, I found that the engineer of the coming trair^ 
had been one of my old chums, ere I had discarded 
engine-driving for more profitable business. My friend 

Joe M was a cool, bold, skilful engineer, and as 

generous as reckless of danger. 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 206 

" As I expected, I no sooner saw him and stated mj 
wish to go up the road, than he swore that, special oi 
no special, I should ride with him, if for nothing but to 
see the ' fast time" his engine, " Wildfire," would make. 

*' As we dashed rapidly along and were passing through 
Black Oak Bottom, a couple of ill-looking fellows in 
citizen's dress fired at the engineer, but doing no damage, 
merely provoked a laugh of derision from him for their 
want of marksmanship. On arriving at Oakland, Mary- 
land, we were disagreeably surprised by receiving a 
telegram, informing us that a party of rebels were mak- 
ing extraordinary haste to reach the railway at a point 
many miles ahead of us. Also they seemed to know 
who the special contained, and would therefore use all 
endeavors to capture or kill us. 

" There was but one car behind the engine, and in it 
was briefly discussed the question of go or stay, while 
Joe was having the tender refilled with wood and water 

" Mr. Pierpont's business was too urgent to admit oi 
any possible delay ; two or three others concluded to risk 
the trip, and I — well, if it's not too egotistical to say so — 
I had run risks on railways too often to back out because 
there was danger ahead, while the rest concluded to stay 
and trust to luck for the opportunity of getting away. 

" Just as we were about to start, the fireman making 
a misstep on the ' running board,' fell and struck the 
ground with such force as to break his arm. Joe hur- 
riedly picked the poor fellow up, but time was precious 
just then, so leaving him to the care of the gentlemen 
who had accompanied us, he started directly toward me, 
asking me to come and ' run ' for him, as, having no 
fire*nan, he would have more than he could do. T told 



206 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

him, however, to consider me his fireman for the rest oi 
the trip, as he was best acquainted with the road ; so 
without any more ado, I doffed my coat, we jumped on, 
and away we went, past hamlets, through wildernesses 
of stunted bushes, up grade and down hill, at a speed 
rarely equalled. Our light train made firing an easy 
task for me, and I had frequent leisure to scan the 
beautiful ranges of the Alleghanies along which we 
skirted. Joe was sitting, as was usual with him, with 
his left hand on the throttle lever, and his body half out 
of the side window of the 'cab,' that he might the better 
scan the track ahead. 

"A few miles south of the famous Cheat river bridge, 
is a deep mountain gorge, with precipitous, rocky sides. 

"It is shaped like an hour-glass, wide at each end, 
but tapering each way toward the middle. The track 
runs for quite a distance along one side of the gorge, 
makes a, very abrupt turn to cross the chasm, a very 
deep one, in a straight line, and then, still curving in- 
wardly, follows the gorge in a line nearly parallel with 
the track on the opposite side, for three fourths of a 
mile. 

'' We were pitching along with that peculiar rocking, 
bounding motion, so different from the jar of ordinary 
fast speed. As we swept to the top of a grade, around 
the side of a hill that commanded a view of the gorge — 
Joe and I both on the lookout — we saw, at a moment's 
glance, enough to make us concentrate our thinking 
faculties, and act in a hurry, whatever was best to be 
done. 

" There, on the straight track, just at the near edge 
.:)f the gorge, a lot of men, in gray uniform, were hastily 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 207 

piling up some old ties, logs, etc., while at the point 
where the curve was sharpest — before reaching the 
gorge — were several more, tugging furiously at a rail, 
one end of which seemed to baffle them, as they pulled 
it outward. We were within a mile of them when we 
discovered them, and as each noticed them, the shout 
came simultaneously from both of us, ' The wrong side 
of the curve !' The ignorant fools were pulling out the 
inside rail, instead of the outside. In the latter case, 
nothing could have saved us from running oflf the track, 
and probably into the gorge. Our single brakesman, 
seeing the danger — I suppose from habit — was commenc- 
ing to tighten the brake, but at a look from Joe I sig- 
nalled 'off brakes,' Joe, meanwhile, opening the throttle 
to its widest extent, as we dashed down the grade at a 
positively frightful velocity. 

"As we neared them, a party of them huddled to- 
gether near the track. T seized a large stick of wood, 
intending, if possible, to hurt 'somebody.' We were 
going altogether too swut to fear their taking aim at us; 
and for that matter, I suppose they considered our de- 
struction such a certainty that firing at us would be 
needless. I was poising the big stick of wood, guessing 
at the rate of speed — I've had some practice throwing 
parcels from trains in motion — when Joe suddenly pulled 
the whistle-rope. The hoarse shriek seemed to startle 
them for an instant ; they huddled closer together, and 
I tossed the stick outward and downward. I had 
barely time to see it crash through the group with the 
force of a thunderbolt, when, with a jarring plunge, the 
wheels on one side struck the naked ties. That part of 
the trouble we had feared but little, as the impetus of 



208 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

the engine was almost sure to make it mount the track 
again. On the track again, but a few rods ahead of us, 
was the formidable barricade, and beyond that the yawn- 
ing chasm. Joe was standing up now, with eyes blaz- 
ing, still holding the throttle wide open, as he braced 
himself for the shock. I had grasped the brake rod of 
the tender the instant I threw the piece of wood. Crash 
— my hold didn't avail me, as I was pitched head over 
heels against the fire-box, and laid flat on my back on 
the footboard or floor of the engine. 

"Joe was as suddenly jerked half around, his back 
striking the little door in front of where he had stood, 
breaking the door and shivering the glass to atoms. Bui 
we were through ; how, we couldn't tell, except that we 
were still on the track, and thundering over the gorge. 
Joe's spirits rose with the occasion. Extricating himself 
almost as suddenly as he had been deposited in the little 
glass door, he jerked a tin flask from his pocket, sprung 
on top of the tender, and from thence to the roof of the 
cab. Steadying himself for a moment, with his face 
toward the rebels, he shouted, ^good-by,' made them a 
low bow, and took a drink, perfectly regardless of the 
white puffs of smoke, as one after another discharged 
their pieces at him ; as he afterward explained, *the en- 
gine made too much noise for him to hear the bullets, 
and they didn't seem to be hitting anybody.' 

" After having, in spite of sore bones, performed a jig, 
which he had extemporized for that occasion for the ex- 
press edification of the ' rebs,' Joe descended from hie 
perch and deUberately shutting off steam, stopped. 

" W<^ were still in sight of them, though at a tolerably 
^afe distance, and now saw a group of them standing 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 209 

aear several men who had been wounded, perhaps some 
killed, by that ' irrepressible' stick of wood, 

" Our damages were a few bruises each, but no serious 
hurts. Our engine suffered the loss of the pilot, or cow- 
catcher, and head light j the front of the smoke-box was 
stove in, besides sundry dents and bruises on the brass 
casings of the cylinders ; but for running purposes wa.*^ 
absolutely uninjured. The rebels having piled the logs 
squarely across the top of the track, the point of the 
cow-catcher had gone under them, and though broken 
by the shock, had raised them sufficiently to keep them 
from under the wheels, while the engine dashed them 
right and left into the gorge. 

" The rebels, seeing us stop, started in pursuit ; but as 
we found nothing serious to impede our further progress, 
and, as in their case, ' distance lent enchantment to the 
view,' we were off again in high spirits, and without 
further adventure worth recounting, arrived safely at 
our destination. 

" Poor Joe, after being shot at so often as to have 
acquired a sovereign contempt for rebel bullets, was 
shot dead about a year ago, while running a government 
engine near Chattai>X)ga" 

14 



210 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 



ZAGONYI'S CHARGE. 

The charge of Fremont's Body-Guard and the Prairie 
Scouts of Major Frank White, upon the rebel garrison 
in Springfield, Missouri, under the leadership of Major 
Charles Zagonyi, is justly regarded as one of the most 
daring and gallant achievements of the wai. 

Charles Zagonyi was a Hungarian refugee who, like 
80 many of his countrymen, had fled to this country 
after the suppression of the revolution in his native 
country by the iron hand of the Russian Czar. His 
daring character brought the young ofl&cer to the notice 
of the invincible General Bem, by whom he was placed 
in command of a troop of picked cavalry for extraordinary 
service. His story, after that hour, up to the date of 
his capture by the enemy, was one of unparalleled 
daring. His last act was to charge upon a heavy artillery 
force. Over one half of his men were killed and the 
rest made prisoners, but not until after the enemy had 
suffered terribly. He was then confined in an Austrian 
dungeon, and finally released, at the end of two years, 
to go into exile in America. 

Fremont drew around him a large number of such re- 
fugees from European tyranny, and found in them men 
of great value, in all departments of the service. 
Zagonjri enlisted three hundred carefully chosen men, 
who, as a '' Body-Guard," served as pioneers and scouts 
in Fremont's advance. The exploit at Springfield was 
only one of many similar services for which they were 
designated by Fremont; but, the suspension of his com- 
mand in Missouri broke up the Guard, and Zagonyi with- 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 211 

drew from the service until his leader should again be 
given a command. 

The Guard was mounted, and was armed with German 
sabres and revolvers — the first company only having 
carbines. The horses were all bay in color, and were 
chosen with special reference to speed and endurance. 

The expedition to Springfield was planned, as it after- 
ward appeared, upon false information. Instead of 
Springfield being held by a small force, it was in posse8^ 
sion of twelve hundred infantry and four hundred cavalry. 
Major Frank White had been ordered by General Sigel 
to make a reconnoissance toward Springfield — the Union 
army then being at Camp Haskell, south of the Pomme 
de Terre river, thirty-four miles from Warsaw and fifty- 
one from Springfield. The major had just come in with 
his dashihg " Prairie Scouts," one hundred and fifty-four 
strong, from their gallant dash into Lexington ; and the 
order to strike out for the reconnoissance found them 
jaded from over service. The major, however, put out, 
and was far on his way when, on the 24th (of October), 
he was joined by Zagonyi, who assumed command of the 
expedition, by order of Fremont. Zagonyi had with 
him one half of his Guard, provided with only one ration. 
The march to Springfield was to be forced, in order that 
the enemy should be surprised and the place secured 
before rebel reinforcements could reach it. The com 
bined Scouts and Guard marched all Thursday (October 
24th) night ; briefly rested Friday morning, then pushed 
on and were before Springfield at three p. m. on the 25th 
— the fifty-one miles having been accomplished in eigh- 
teen hours. 

Eight miles from Springfield five mounted rebels were 



212 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

caught ; a sixth escaped and gave the alarm to the forces 
in the town, whose strength, Zagonyi learned from a 
Union farmer, was fully two thousand strong. Nothing 
was left but a retreat or bold dash. Zagonyi did not 
hesitate. His men responded to his own spirit fully, 
and were eager for the adventure, let it result as it 
would. Major White was so ill from overwork that, at 
Zagonyi's entreaty, he remauied at a farm-house for a 
brief rest. The Union farmer offered to pilot the Body- 
Guard around to the Mount Vernon approach on the 
West — thus hoping to effect a surprise in that direction, 
as the enemy was, doubtless, aligned to receive the as- 
sault on the Boliver road, on the North. Of this detour 
White knew nothing, and after his rest he pushed on 
with his guard of five men and a lieutenant, to overtakt* 
his troops. He travelled up to the very outskirts of the 
town, and yet did not come up to his men. Supposing 
them in possession of the pla>?e, he kept on and soon 
found himself in a rebel camp — a prisoner. He wiis 
immediately surrounded by a crew of savages, who at 
once resolved to have his life. Captain Wroton, a rebel 
officer, only saved the Federal officer and his men from 
murder by swearing to protect them with his life. The 
blood thirsty wretches were only kept at bay by the 
constant presence of Wroton. 

The particulars of the charge aie given by Major 
Dorsheimer in his admirable papers on Fremont's Cam- 
paign, in the Atlantic Monthly : 

The foe were advised of the intended attack. When 
Major White was brought int) their camp, they were 
preparing to defend their positiiin. As appears from the 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 212 

confession of prisoners, they had twenty-two hundred 
men, of whom four hundred were cavah'y, the rest being 
infantry, armed with shot guns, American rifles, and 
revolvers. Twelve hundred of their foot were posted 
along the edge of the wood upon the crest of the hill. 
The cavalry was stationed upon the extreme left, on top 
of a spur of the hill, and in front of a patch of timber 
Sharpshooters were concealed behind the trees close to 
the fence alongside the lane, and a small number in 
some underbrush near the foot of the hill. Another 
detachment guarded their train, holding possession of 
the county fair ground, which was surrounded by a high 
board fence. 

This position was unassailable by cavalry from the 
road, the only point of attack being down the lane on 
the right ; and the enemy were so disposed as to com- 
mand this approach perfectly. The lane was a blind 
one, being closed, after passing the brook, by fences and 
ploughed land : it was in fact a cul-de-sac. If the in- 
fantry should stand, nothing could save the rash assail- 
ants. There are horsemen sufficient to sweep the little 
band before them as helplessly as the withered forest- 
leaves in the grasp of the autumn winds ; there are dead- 
ly marksmen lying behind the trees upon the heights and 
lurking in the long grass upon the lowlands; while a 
long line of foot stand upon the summit of the slope, 
who, only stepping a few paces back into the forest, may 
defy the boldest riders. Yet, down this narrow lane, lead- 
ing into the very jaws of death, came the three hundred. 

On the prairie, at the edge of the woodland in which 
he knew his wily foe lay hidden, Zagonyi halted his 
".ommand. He spurred ••Jong the line. "With eager 



214 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

glance he scanned each horse and rider. To his officers 
he gave the simple order, " Follow me ! do as I do !" 
and then, drawing up in front of his men, with a voice 
tremulous and shrill with emotion, he spoke: 

" Fellow-soldiers, comrades, brothers ! This is jour 
first battle. For our three hundred, the enemy are two 
thousand. If any of you are sick, or tired by the long 
march, or if any think that the number is too great, 
now is the time to turn back." He paused — no one was 
sick or tired. '' We must not retreat. Our honor, the 
honor of our general and our country, tell us to go on. 
I will lead you. We have been called holiday soldiers 
for the pavements of St. Louis ; to day we will show 
that we are soldiers for the battle. Your watchword 
shall be — ' The Union and Fremont f Draw sabre ! By 
the right flank — quick trot — march !' 

Bright swords flashed in the sunshine, a passionate 
«hout burst from every lip, and with one accord, the 
trot passing into a gallop, the compact column swept on 
in its deadly purpose. Most of them were boys. A 
few weeks before they had left their homes. Those 
who were cool enough to note it say that ruddy cheeks 
grew pale, and fiery eyes were dimmed with tears. 
Who shall tell what thoughts, what visions of peaceful 
cottages nestling among the groves of Kentucky, or 
shining upon the banks of the Ohio and the Illinois — 
what sad recollections of tearful farewells, of tender, 
loving faces, filled their minds during those fearful 
moments of suspense ? No word was spoken. With 
lips compressed, firmly clenching their sword-hilts, with 
quick tramp of hoofs and clang of steel, honor leading 
»uid glory awaiting t^em, the young soldiers flew for- 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 215 

ward, each brave rider and each straining steed mem- 
bers of one huge creature, enormous, terrible, irresifi- 
tible. 

" ♦ Twere worth ten years of peaceful life, 
One glance at their array." 

They pass the fair ground. They are at the comer 
of the lane where the wood begins. It runs close to 
the fence on their left for a hundred yards, and beyond 
it they see white tents gleaming. They are half way 
past the forest, when, sharp and loud, a volley of 
musketry bursts upon the head of the column ; horses 
stagger, riders reel and fall, but the troop presses for- 
ward undismayed. The farther comer of the wood 
is reached, and Zagonyi beholds the terrible array. 
Amazed, he involuntarily checks his horse. The rebels 
are not surprised. There to his left they stand crown- 
ing the height, foot and horse ready to engulph him, if 
he shall be rash enough to go on. The road he is fol- 
lowing declines rapidly. There is but one thing to do 
— run the gauntlet, gain the cover of the hill, and charge 
up the steep. These thoughts pass quicker than they 
can be told. He waves his sabre over his head, and 
shouting, " Forward ! follow me ! quick trot ! gallop !" 
he dashes headlong down the stony road. The first 
company, and most of the second follow. From the 
left a thousand muzzles belch forth a hissing flood of 
bullets ; the poor fellows clutch wildly at the air and 
fall from their saddles, and maddened horses throw 
themselves against the fences. Their speed is not for 
an instant checked ; farther down the hill they fly, like 
wasps driven by the leaden storm. Sharp volleys pnuT 



216 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

out of the underbrush at the left, clearing wide gaps 
through their ranks. They leap the brook, take down 
the fence, and draw up under shelter of the hill. 
Zagonyi looks around him, and to his horror sees that 
only a fourth of his men are with him. He cries, 
" They do not come — we are lost !" and frantically 
waves his sabre. 

He has not long to wait. The delay of the rest of the 
Guard was not from hesitation. When Captain Foley 
reached the lower corner of the wood and saw the 
enemy's lines, he thought a flank attack might be ad- 
vantageously made. He ordered some men to dismount 
and take down the fence. This was done under a 
severe fire. Several men fell, and he found the woods 
so dense that it could not be penetrated. Looking 
down the hill, he saw the flash of Zagonyi's sabre, and 
at once gave the order, " Forward !" At the same time, 
Lieutenant Kennedy, a stalwart Kentuckian, shouted, 
"Come on, boys ! remember Old Kentucky!" and the 
third company of the Guard — fire on every side of them 
— from behind trees, from under the fences — with thun- 
dering strides and loud cheers — poured down the slope 
and rushed to the side of Zagonyi. They have lost 
seventy dead and wounded men, and the carcasses of 
horses are strewn along the lane. Kennedy is wounded 
in the arm, and lies upon the stones, his faithful 
charger standing motionless beside him. Lieutenant 
Goflf received a wound in the thigh ; he kept his seat, 
and cried out, *'The devils have hit me, but I will give 
it to them yet !" 

The remnant of the Guard are now in the field under 
the hill, and from the shape of the ground the rebel fire 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 217 

sweeps with the roar of a whirlwind over their heads. 
Here we will leave them for a moment, and trace the 
fortunes of the Prairie Scouts. 

When Foley brought his troop to a halt, Captair 
Fairbanks, at the head of the first company of Scouts, 
was at the point where the first volley of musketry had 
been received. The narrow lane was crowded by a 
dense mass of struggling horses, and filled with tlie 
tumult of battle. Captain Fairbanks says, and he is 
corroborated by several of his men who were near, that 
at this moment an officer of the Guard rode up to him 
and said, " They are flying ; take your men down that 
lane and cut off" their retreat" — pointing to the lane at 
the left. Captain Fairbanks was not able to identify 
the person who gave this order. It certainly did not 
come from Zagonyi, who was several hundred yards 
farther on. Captain Fairbanks executed the order, fol- 
lowed by the second company of Prairie Scouts, under 
Captain Kehoe. When this movement was made. Cap- 
tain Naughton, with the Third Irish dragoons, had not 
reached the corner of the lane. He came up at a 
gallop, and was about to follow Fairbanks, when he saw 
a Guardsman, who pointed in the direction in which 
Zagonyi had gone. He took this for an order, and 
obeyed it. When he reached the gap in the fence, 
fuade by Foley, not seeing any thing of the Guard, he 
supposed they had passed through at that place, and 
gallantly attempted to follow. Thirteen men fell in a 
few minutes. He was shot in the arm and dismounted. 
Lieutenant Connolly spurred into the underbrush, and 
received two balls through the lungs and one in the 
left shoulder. The dragoons, at the outset not more 



218 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

than fifty strong, were broken, and, dispirited by the 
loss of their ofiicers, retired. A sergeant rallied a few 
and brought them up to the gap again, and they were 
again driven back. Five of the boldest passed down 
the hill, joined Zagonyi, and were conspicuous for their 
valor during the rest of the day. Fairbanks and Kehoe, 
having gained the rear and left of the enemy's position, 
made two or three assaults upon detached parties of the 
foe, but did not join in the main attack. 

I now return to the Guard. It is forming under 
the shelter of the hill. In front, with a gentle incli- 
nation, rises a grassy slope, broken by occasional tree- 
stumps. A line of fire upon the summit marks the 
position of the rebel infantry, and nearer and on the 
top of a lower eminence to the right stand their horse. 
Up to this time no Guardsman has struck a blow, but 
blue coats and bay horses lie thick along the bloody 
lane. Their time has come. Lieutenant Maythenyi 
with thirty men is ordered to attack the cavalry. With 
sables flashing over their heads, the little band of 
heroes spring toward their tremendous foe. Right upon 
the centre they charge. The dense mass opens, the 
blue coats force their way in, and the whole rebel squad- 
ron scatter in disgraceful flight through the cornfields in 
the rear. The boys follow them sabering the fugitives. 
Days after, the enemy's horses lay thick among the un- 
cut corn. 

Zagonyi holds his main body until Maythenyi disap- 
pears in the cloud of rebel cavalry ; then his voice 
rises through the air : " In open order — charge !" The 
line opens out to give play to their sword-arm. Steeds 
respond to the ardor of their riders, and quick as thought, 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 219 

with thrilling cheers, the noble hearts rush into the 
leaden torrent which pours down the incline. With un- 
abated fire the gallant fellows press through. Their 
fierce onset is not even checked. The foe do not wait 
for them — they waver, break, and fly. The Guards- 
men spur into the midst of the rout, and their fast- 
falling swords work a terrible revenge. Some of the 
boldest of the Southrons retreat into the woods, and 
continue a murderous fire from behind trees and thickets. 
Seven Guard horses fall upon a space not more than 
twenty feet square. As his steed sinks under him, one 
of the officers is caught around the shoulders by a grape- 
vine, and hangs dangling in the air until he is cut down 
by his friends. 

The rebel foot are flying in furious haste from the 
field. Some take refuge in the fair ground, some hurry 
into the cornfields, but the greater part run along the 
edge of the wood, swarm over the fence into the road, 
and hasten to the village. The Guardsmen follow. 
Zagonyi leads them. Over the loudest roar of battle 
rings his clarion voice — " Come on, Old Kentuck ! I'm 
with you !" And the flash of his sword-blade tells his 
men where to go. As he approaches a barn, a man 
steps from behind a door and lowers his rifle ; but before 
it has reached a level, Z agony i's sabre-point descends 
upon his head, and his life-blood leaps to the very top 
of the huge barn-door. 

The conflict now raged through the village — in the 
public square, and along the streets. Up and down the 
Guards ride in squads of three or four, and wherever 
they see a gro ip of the enemy, charge upon and 



220 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

scatter them. It is hand to hand. No one but has a 
share in the fray. 

There was at least one soldier in the Southern ranks. 
A young officer, superbly mounted, charges alone upon 
a large body of the Guard. He passes through the line 
unscathed, killing one man. He wheels, charges back, 
and again breaks through, killing another man. A 
third time he rushes upon the Federal line, a score of 
sabre-points confront him, a cloud of bullets fly around 
him, but he pushes on until he reaches Zagonyi — he 
presses his pistol so close to the major's side, that he 
feels it, and draws convulsively back, the bullet passes 
through the front of Zagonyi's coat, who at the instant 
runs the daring rebel through the body ; he falls, and 
the men, thinking their commander hurt, kill him with 
a dozen wounds. 

"He was a brave man," said Zagonyi afterward, 
" and I did wish to make him prisoner." 

Meanwhile it has grown dark. The foe have left the 
village, and the battle has ceased. The assembly is 
sounded, and the Guard gathers in the Plaza. Not 
more than eighty mounted men appear: the rest are 
killed, wounded, or unhorsed. At this time one of the 
most characteristic incidents of the afiair took place. 

Just before the charge, Zagonyi directed one of his 
buglers, a Frenchman, to sound a signal. The bugler 
did not seem to pay any attention to the order, but 
darted off with Lieutenant Maythenyi. A few moments 
afterward he was observed in another part of the field 
vigorously pursuing the flying infantry. His active 
form was always seen in the thickest of the fight. When 
the line was formed in the Plaza, Zagonyi noticed the 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 22 J 

bugler, and approaching him, said : " In the midst of 
battle you disobeyed my order. You are unworthy to 
be a member of the Guard. I dismiss you." The bugler 
showed his bugle to his indignant commander — the 
mouth-piece of the instrument was shot away. He 
said : ^' The mouth was shoot off. I could not bugle 
viz mon bugle, and so I bugle viz mon pistol and 
sabre." It is unnecessary to add, the brave Frenchman 
was not dismissed. 

I must nol forget to mention Sergeant Hunter, of the 
Kentucky company. His soldierly figure never failed 
to attract the eye in the ranks of the Guard. He had 
served in the regular cavalry, and the Body-Guard had 
profited greatly from his skill as a drill master. He 
lost three horses in the fight. As soon as one was 
killed, he caught another from the rebels : the third 
horse taken by him in this way he rode into St. Louis. 

The sergeant slew five men. " I wont speak of those 
I shot," said he — ''another may have hit them; but 
those I touched with my sabre I am sure of, because ] 
felt them." 

At the beginning of the charge, he came to the 
extreme right, and took position next to Zagonyi, whom 
he followed closely through the battle. The major see- 
ing him, said : 

'* Why are you here. Sergeant Hunter? Your place 
is with your company on the left." 

" I kind o' wanted to be in the front,*' was the 
answer. 

" What could I say to such a man ?" exclaimed, 
Zagonyi, speaking of the matter afterward. 

There was hardlj' a hore^ or rider among the sur 



222 DARING ENTERPRISES OP OFPICERS AND MEN. 

vivois that did not bring awaj some mark of the fray, 
r saw one animal with no less than seven wounds — 
none of them serious. Scabbards were bent, clothes and 
caps pierced, pistols injured. I saw one pistol from 
which the sight had been cut as neatly as it could have 
been done by machinery. A piece of board a few inches 
long was cut from a fence on the field, in which there 
were thirty-one shot holes. 

It was now nine o'clock. The wounded had beeo 
carried to the hospital. The dismounted troopers were 
placed in charge of them — in the double capacity of 
nurses and guards. Zagonyi expected the foe to return 
every minute. It seemed like madness to try and 
hold the town with his small force, exhausted by the 
long march and desperate fight. He therefore left 
Springfield, and retired before morning twenty-five miles 
on the Bolivar road. 

Captain Fairbanks did not see his commander after 
leaving the column in the lane, at the commencement 
of the engagement. About dusk he repaired to the 
prairie, tind remained there within a mile of the village 
until midnight, when he followed Zagonyi, rejoining 
him in the morning. 

I will now return to Major White. During the con- 
flict upon the hill., he was in the forest near the front 
of the rebel line Here his horse was shot under him. 
Captain Wroton kept careful watch over him. When 
the flight began he hurried White away, and, accom- 
panied by a squad of eleven men, took him ten miles 
into the country. They stopped at a farm-house for the 
night. White discovered that their host was a Union 
noian. His paro e having expired, he took advantage oi 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 223 

the momentary absence of his captor to speak to the 
farmer, telling him who he was, and asking him to send 
for assistance. The countryman mounted his son upon 
his swiftest horse, and sent him for succor. The party 
lay down by the fire, White being placed in the midst. 
The rebels were soon asleep, but there was no sleep foi 
the major. He listened anxiously for the footsteps of 
his rescuers. After long weary hours, he heard the 
tramp of horses. He arose, and walking on tiptoe, cau- 
tiously stepping over his sleeping guard, he reached the 
door and silently unfastened it. The Union men rushed 
into the room and took the astonished Wroton and his 
followers prisoners. At daybreak White rode into Spring 
field at the head of his captives and a motley band of 
Home Guards. He found the Federals still in possession 
of the place. As the officer of highest rank, he took 
command. His garrison consisted of twenty-four men. 
He stationed twenty-two of them as pickets in the out- 
skirts of the village, and held the other two as a reserve. 
At noon the enemy sent a flag of truce, and asked per- 
mission to bury their dead. Major White received the 
flag with proper ceremony, but said that General Sigel 
was in command and the request would have to be re- 
ferred to him. Sigel was then forty miles away. In a 
short time a written communication purporting to com? 
from General Sigel arrived, saying that the rebels migh» 
send a party under certain restrictions to bury their 
dead : White drew in some of his pickets, stationed them 
about the field, and under their surveillance the Southern 
dead were buried. 

The loss of the enemy, as reported by some of their 
working party, was one hundred and sixteen killed 



224 DARING ENTERPRISES OP OFFICERS AND MEN. 

The number of wounded could not be ascertained. Aftei 
the conflict had drifted away from the hill-side, some of 
the foe had returned to the field, taken away their woun- 
ded and robbed our dead. The loss of the Guard wag 
fifty-three out of one hundred and forty-eight actually 
engaged, twelve men having been left by Zagonyi in 
charge of his train. The Prairie Scouts reported a loss 
of thirty -one out of one hundred and thirty : half of 
these belonged to the Irish Dragoons. In a neighboring 
field an Irishman was found stark and stiff, still cling- 
ing to the hilt of his sword, which was thrust through 
the body of a rebel who lay beside him. Within a few 
feet a second rebel lav shot through the head. 



THE PASSAGE OF THE PORT HUDSON BATTERIES 

The rebels had blockaded the Mississippi from the 
beginning of the war with their batteries. In the pro- 
gress of the war Farragut had captured the batteries 
below New Orleans, and above as far as Prophet's 
Island, just below Port Hudson, and Foote, Davis, and 
Porter had made a conquest of the batteries above 
Vicksburg, leaving only the Vicksburg, Warrenton, and 
Port Hudson batteries — a distance of two hundred aiid 
thirty-two miles by the river. Of these, the batteries at 
Port Hudson were, with the exception of those at 
Vicksburg, the most formidable on the river. 

The bluff, rising forty feet above the level of the 
nver, wa? covered with forts for a distance of nearly 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 225 

four miles, constructiid upon the most scientific princi- 
ples of modern military art, and armed with the most 
approved and heaviest ordnance which England, seeking 
the ruin of the republic, could furnish the rebels. The 
river, just at the bend, suddenly narrows, and the cur- 
rent, striking upon the west bank, is thrown across, 
running with great velocity, and carrying the channel 
almost directly under the base of the precipitous cliflfs, 
Any vessel attempting the passage would be compelled 
to run the gauntlet of a plunging fire from batteries 
which commanded the range for several miles Above and 
below. 

It was proposed, in order that the fleet might be able 
to co-operate with General Grant in the siege of Vicks- 
burg, to attack Port Hudson, and, under the fire of the 
bombardment, to attempt to force a passage by several 
of our gunboats up the river. 

To Rear-Admiral Farragut, already renowned for his 
naval victory at Forts St, Philip and Jackson, was 
assigned the work of attacking and passing this formid- 
able river fortress. The fleet consisted of the flag-ship 
•' Hartford," a fine sloop-of-war, carrying twenty-six 
guns; the " Richmond," a vessel of the same class and 
armament ; the side-wheel steamship " Mississippi," with 
twenty-two eight and nine inch guns ; the " Monongar 
hela," a smaller steam sloop-of-war, with sixteen heavy 
guns; and the gunboats '' Kineo," "Albatross," " Sachem," 
and " Genesee," each carrying three columbiads, and 
two rifled thirty-two pounders, togethei with six mortar 
boats, intended to assist in the bombardment, but not 
to attempt the passage of the batteries. 

On the morning of the 14th of April, the squadron 

16 



226 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN 

having ascended the river from New Orleans, anchored 
off Prophet's Island, and the mortar boats took their 
position, and early in the afternoon commenced a 
vigorous bombardment of the rebel works. At half-past 
nine o'clock in the evening, a red light from the flag- 
ship signaled the ships and gunboats to weigh anchor. 
The "Hartford" led, the "Albatross" being lashed on 
her starboard side ; the " Richmond" followed, having 
the "Genesee" lashed to her; next came the "Monon- 
gahela" and the " Kineo," while the " Mississippi" and 
the " Sachem" brought up the rear. The mortar boats, 
from their sheltered anchorage, were prepared to renew 
their bombardment with marked effect so soon as it 
should be necessary. 

Signal lights were flashing along the rebel batteries, 
showing that they were awake to the movements of the 
Union squadron. Soon the gleam of a fire kindled by 
the rebels was seen, which blazed higher and more bril- 
liant till its flashes illumined the whole river opposite 
the batteries with the light of day. This immense bon- 
fire was directly in front of the most formidable of the 
fortifications, and every vessel ascending the stream 
would be compelled to pass in the full blaze of its light, 
exposed to the concentrated fire of the heaviest ord- 
nance. Still it was hoped, notwithstanding the desper- 
ate nature of the enterprise, that a few at least of the 
vessels of the squadron would be able to effect a 
passage. v 

Silently in the darkness the boats steamed along, 
until a rebel field-piece, buried in the foliage of the 
shore, opened fire upon the "Hartford." The challenge 
thus given was promptly accepted, and a broadside 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 227 

volley was returned upon the unseen foe. The rebel 
batteries, protected by strong redoubts, extended, as we 
have mentioned, with small intervening spaces, a dis- 
tance of nearly four miles, often rising in tier above tier 
on the ascending bluff. Battery after battery immedi- 
ately opened its fire ; the hill-sides seemed peopled with 
demons hurling their thunderbolts, while the earth 
trembled beneath the incessant and terrific explosions. 
And now the mortar boats uttered their awful roar, add- 
ing to the inconceivable sublimity of the scene. An 
eye-witness thus describes the appearance of the mam- 
moth shells rising and descending in their majestic 
curve : 

" Never shall I forget the sight that then mot my 
astonished vision. Shooting upward, at an angle of 
forty-five degrees, with the rapidity of lightning, small 
globes of golden flame were seen sailing through the 
pure ether — not a steady, unfading flame, but coruscat- 
ing like the fitful gleam of a fire-fly, now visible and 
anon invisible. Like a flying star of the sixth magni- 
tude the terrible missile — a thirteen-inch shell — nears 
its zenith, up and still up, higher and higher. Its flight 
now becomes much slower, till, on reaching its utmost 
altitude, its centrifugal force becoming counteracted by 
the earth's attraction, it describes a parabolic curve, and 
down, down it comes, bursting, it may be, ere it reaches 
terra firma, but probably alighting in the rebel works 
ere it explodes, where it scatters death and destruction 
around." 

The air was breathing gently from the east, and dense 
volumes of billowy smoke hung over the river, drifting 
Blowly across in clouds which the eye could not pene- 



228 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

trate, and adding greatly to the gloom and sublimit}^ 
of the scene. It strains a ship too much to fire all the 
guns simultaneously. The broadsides were, conse- 
quently, generally discharged by commencing with the 
forward gun, and firing each one in its turn in the mosi 
rapid manner possible — as fast as the ticking of a clock. 
The effect of this bombardment, from ship and shore, as 
described by all who witnessed it, was grand and terrific 
in the extreme. From the innumerable batteries, very 
skilfully manned, shot and shell fell upon the ships like 
hail. Piercing the awful roar, which filled the air as 
with the voice of ten thousand thunders, was heard the 
demoniac shrieks of the shells, as if all the demons of 
the pit had broken loose, and were revelling in hideous 
rage through the darkness and the storm. 

In the midst of this scene of terror, conflagration, and 
death,- as the ships were struggling through the fire 
against the swift current of the Mississippi, there was 
heard from the deck of the '' Richmond," coming up 
from the dark, rushing stream, the cry of a drowning 
man. " Help ! oh, help !" The unhappy sufferer had 
evidently fallen from the " Hartford," which was in 
advance. In such an hour there could not be even an 
attempt made to rescue him. Again and again the 
agonizing cry pierced the air, the voice growing fainter 
and fainter as the victim floated away in the distance, 
until he sank beneath the turbid waves. 

The whole arena of action, on the land and on the 
water, was soon enveloped in a sulphurous canopy of 
smoke, pierced incessantly by the vivid flashes of the 
guns. The vessels could no longer discern each other 
()r the hostile batt ^ries on the shore It became very 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 229 

iifficult to know how to steer; and as in the impenetrar 
ble gloom the only object at which they could aim was 
the flash of the guns, tht danger became imminent that 
they might fire into each other. This gave the rebels 
great advantage • for with their stationary guns trained 
upon the river, though they fired into dense darkness, 
they could hardly fire amiss. Occasionally a gust of 
wind would sweep away the smoke, slightly reveal- 
ing the scene in the light of the great bonfire on the 
bluff. Again the black, stifling canopy would settle 
down, and all was Egyptian darkness. 

At one time, just as the " Richmond" was prepared 
to pour a deadly fire into a supposed battery, whose 
flash the gunners had just perceived, Lieutenant Terry 
shouted out, " Hold on, you are firing into the ' Hart^ 
ford !' " Another quarter of a minute and they would 
have been pouring a destructive broadside into the flag- 
ship which could scarcely have failed to sink her. 

A shell from a rebel battery entered the starboard 
port of the '' Richmond," and burst with a terrific ex- 
plosion directly under the gun. One fragment splin- 
tered the gun-carriage. Another made a deep indenta- 
tion in the gun itself. Two other fragments struck the 
unfortunate boatswain's mate, cutting off" both legs at 
the knee, and one arm at the elbow. He soon died, 
with his last breath saying, " Don't give up the ship, 
lads !" The whole ship reeled under the concussion a* 
if tossed by an earthquake. 

The river at Port Hudson, as we have mentioned, makes 
a majestic curve. Rebel cannon were planted along the 
concave brow of the crescent-shaped bluffs of the eastern 
ahore, while beneath the bluflf, near the water's edge, 



230 DARING ENTERPRISEJ. OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

there was another series of what were ca,lled water bat 
teries lining the bank. As the ships entered this curve, 
following the channel which swept close to the eastern 
shore, they were, one after the other, exposed to the 
most terrible enfilading fire from all the batteries follow- 
ing the line,of the curve. This was the most desperate 
point of the conflict ; for here it was almost literally 
fighting muzzle to muzzle. The rebels discharged an 
incessant cross-fire of grape and canister, to which 
the heroic squadron replied with double-shotted guns. 
Never did ships pass a more fiery ordeal. 

Lieutenant-Commander Cummings, the executive offi- 
cer of the " Richmond," was standing with his speaking- 
trumpet in his hand cheering the men, with Captain 
Alden by his side, when there was a simultaneous flash 
and roar, and a storm of shot came crashing through the 
bulwarks from a rebel battery, which they could almost 
touch with their ramrods. Both of the officers fell as if 
struck by lightning. The captain was simply knocked 
down by the windage, and escaped unharmed. The 
speaking-trumpet in Commander Cummings' hand was 
battered flat, and his left leg was torn off just below the 
knee. 

As he fell heavily upon the deck, in his gushing blood, 
he exclaimed: 

" Put a tourniquet on my leg, boys. Send my letters 
to my wife. Tell her that I fell in doing my duty !" 

As they took him below, and into the surgeon's room, 
already filled with the wounded, he looked around upon 
the unfortunate group, and said: 

" K there are any here hurt worse than I am let them 
he attended to first." 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. ^3 J 

His shattered limb was immediately amputated 3ood 
after, as he lay upon his couch, exhausted by the operar 
tion and faint from the loss of blood, he heard the noise 
of the escape of steam as a rebel shot penetrated the 
boiler. Inquiring the cause, and learning that the ship 
had become disabled, he exclaimed with fervor : 

" I would willingly give my other leg if we could but 
pass those batteries !" 

A few days after this Christian hero died of his wound. 

Just above the batteries were several rebel gunboats. 
They did not venture into the melee, but anxiously 
watched the fight, until, apprehensive that some of our 
ships might pass, they put on all r e&m. and ran up the 
river as fast as their web feet ce Jd carry them. But 
now denser and blacker grew the dark billows of smoke. 
It seemed impossible, if the s1.<iamers moved, to avoid 
running into each other or upon the shore. An officer 
of each ship placed himself at the prow, striving to pene- 
trate the gloom. A line of men passed from him to the 
stem, along whom, even through the thunders of the 
battle, directions could be transmitted to the helmsman 
Should any of the ships touch the ground beneath the 
fire of such batteries their destruction would be almost 
sure. 

It was a little after eleven o'clock at night when the 
first shot had been fired. For an hour and a half the 
unequal conflict had raged. The flag-ship " Hartford" 
and the "Albatross" succeeded in forcing their way 
above the batteries, and in thus gaining the all-impor- 
tant object of their enterprise. The " Richmond" follow- 
ing, had just passed the principal batteries when a shot 
penetrated her steam-chest, so effectually disabling her 



232 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

for the hour that she dropped, almost helpless, down 
the stream. The "Genesee," which was alongside, 
iinable to stem the rapid current of the river, with the 
massive " Richmond" in tow, bore her back to Prophet's 
Island. Just as the " Richmond" turned a torpedo explod- 
ed under her stern, throwing up the water mast-head high 
and causing the gallant ship to quiver in every timber. 

The " Monongahela" and " Kineo" came next in line 
of battle. The commander of the " Monongahela," Cap- 
tain M'Kinstry, was struck down early in the conflict. 
The command then devolved on a gallant young officer, 
Lieutenant Thomas. He manfully endeavored through 
all the storm of battle to follow the flag-ship. But in 
the dense smoke the pilot lost the channel. The ship 
grounded directly under the fire of one of the principal 
rebel batteries. For twenty-five minutes she remained 
in that perilous position, swept by shot and shell. 
Finally, through the efforts of her consort, the " Kineo," 
she was floated, and again heroically commenced steam- 
ing up the river. But her enginery soon became so dis- 
abled under the relentless fire, that the " Monongahela** 
was also compelled to drop down with the " Kineo" to 
the position of the mortar fleet. Her loss was six killed 
and twenty wounded. 

In obedience to the order of Admiral Farragut, the 
magnificent ship '' Mississippi" brought up the rear, with 
the gunboat " Sachem" as her ally, bound to her larboard 
side. She had reached the point directly opposite the 
town, and her officers were congratulating themselves 
that they had surmounted the greatest dangers, and that 
they would soon be above the batteries, when the ship, 
which had just then been put under rapid headway, 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 233 

grounded on the west bank of the river. It was an awful 
moment ; for the guns of countless batteries were immedi- 
ately concentrated upon her. Captain Smith, while, with 
his ef&cient engineer Rutherford he made the most stren- 
uous exertions to get the ship afloat, ordered his gunners 
to keep up their fire with the utmost possiblo rapidity. 
In the short space of thirty-five minutes they fired two 
hundred and fifty shots. The principal battery of the foe 
was within five hundred yards of the crippled ship, and the 
majestic fabric was soon riddled through and through 
by the storm with which she was so pitilessly pelted. 
The dead and the wounded strewed the decks, and it 
was soon evident that the ship could not be saved. 

Captain Smith prepared to destroy the ship, that it 
might not fall into the hands of the rebels, and to save 
the crew. Captain Caldwell, of the iron-clad '' Essex," 
hastened to his rescue. Under as murderous a fire as 
mortals were ever exposed to, the sick and wounded 
were conveyed on board the ram. Combustibles were 
placed in the fore and after part of the ship, to which 
the torch was to be applied so soon as the crew had all 
escaped to the western shore. By some misunderstand- 
ing she was fired forward before the order was given. 
This caused a panic, as there were but three small boats 
by which they could escape. Some plunged into the 
river and were drowned. It is related, in evidence of 
the coolness of Captain Smith, that in the midst of this 
awful scene, while lighting his cigar with steel and flint, 
he remarked to Lieutenant Dewy : 

"It is not likely that we shall escape, and we must 
make ^very preparation to secure the destruction of the 
ship." 



234 DAEING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

After spiking nearly every gun with his own hands, 
and seeing that the survivors of his crew were fairly clear 
of the wreck, Captain Smith, accompanied by Lieutenant 
Dewey, Ensign Bachelder, and Engineer Tower, sadly 
took their leave, abandoning the proud fabric to the 
flames. Scarcely had they left, when two shells came 
crashing through the sides of the " Mississippi," overturn- 
ing, scattering, and enkindling into flame some casks of 
turpentine. The ship was almost instantly enveloped in 
billows of fire. A yell of exultation rose from the rebels 
as they beheld the bursting forth of the flames. The 
ship, lightened by the removal of three hundred men, 
and by the consuming power of the fire, floated from the 
sand bar and commenced floating, bow on, down the river. 

The scene presented was indeed magnificent. The 
whole fabric was enveloped in flame. Wreathing ser- 
pents of fire twined around the masts and ran up the 
shrouds. Drifting rapidly downward on the rapid cur- 
rent, the meteor, like a volcanic mountain in eruption, 
descended as regularly along the western banks of the 
stream as if steered by the most accomplished helmsman. 
As the ship turned round, in floating off, the guns of 
her port battery, which had not been discharged, faced 
the foe. As the fire reached them the noble frigate, 
with the stars and stripes still floating at her peak, 
opened a new bombardment of the rebel batteries. The 
shells began to explode, scattering through the air in 
all directions. The flaming vision arrested every eye, 
on the land and on the ships, until the floating moun- 
tain of fire drifted down and disappeared behind 
Prophet's Island. And now came the explosion of the 
magazine. There was a vivid flash, shooting upward 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 235 

fco the sky in the form of an inverted cone. For a 
niomeat the whole horizon seemed ablaze with fierj 
missiles. Then came booming over the waves a peal of 
heaviest thunder. The very hills shook beneath the 
awful explosion. This was the dying cry of the " Mis- 
sissippi" as she sank to her burial beneath the waves of 
the river from which she received her name. 

Captain Caldwell, of the "Essex," who, as soon as he 
Baw the " Mississippi," to be on fire, gallantly steamed 
to her aid, directly under the concentrated fire of the 
batteries, succeeded in picking up many who were strug- 
gling in the waves, and in rescuing others who had 
escaped to the shore. There were about three hundred 
men on board the " Mississippi " Of these sixty-five 
officers and men were either killed, wounded, or taken 
prisoners. Seventy, who escaped to the shore, wandered, 
for many miles, down the western banks of the stream, 
in constant danger of being taken captive, wading the 
bayous, and encountering fearful hardships, until they 
finally reached the ships below. Two ships, the "Hart^ 
Jbrd" and the "Albatross," succeeded in running the 
gauntlet. 



1 1 ^ 11 » 



RUNNING THE BATTERIES AT VICKSBURG, 

The fate of the " Mississippi," in her attempt to pass 
the batteries at Port Hudson, might well have appalled 
the stoutest heart ; but, in war, necessity is stronger than 
law — stronger than human sufiering, or than any ob- 
stacle which may oppose its action. It was necessary 



'J36 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

for General Grant, while marching his troops overlantf 
on the west side of the Mississippi, toward the poini 
from which he intended to cross and attack Vicksburg 
from the south and east, to have transports and gun- 
boats below the Vicksburg and Warrenton batteries 
to bring supplies and ferry his troops across the Mis- 
sissippi, as well as to attack the Warrenton batteries 
from below. 

On consultation with Admiral Porter, that brave 
officer proposed to send down eight gunboats, three 
transports, and a number of barges and flat boats, 
laden with commissary supplies, past the batteries to 
New Carthage. These were all manned by volunteers, 
who were not deterred by the previous misfortunes 
of Fairagut's squadron from undertaking this perilous 
expedition. 

The former attempts at running the Vicksburg bat- 
teries had been made shortly before, or at daylight ; this 
time a change was resolved upon. Eleven o'clock at 
night was appointed as the hour at which the boats 
should leave their rendezvous, which was near the mouth 
of the Yazoo river. To the anxious expectants of the 
coming events, the hours stole slowly by. As the ap- 
pointed moment drew near, the decks of the various 
steamboats were crowded with watchful spectators. 

A sort of apprehensive shudder ran through the col- 
lected gazers when it was announced that the first boat 
destined to pass the batteries was approaching. Sombre 
and silent it floated down, near the Louisiana shore; 
scarcely were its dark sides to be distinguished from the 
foliage lining the bank. Stealing slowly on, it passed 
the group of steamers, and at a point below took an 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 237 

oblique course, steering for the Mississippi side of the 
river ; and, in the gloom, it was soon confounded witn 
the dark shadow of the trees beyond. 

Before this boat was lost sight of, another succeeded, 
and to that another, and another, until, before midnight, 
the whole had gained the Mississippi side of the river, 
and were swallowed up in the dim obscurity. With 
breathless interest their transit was watched by all of 
those on the boats of the fleet, whose position, a little 
above the entrance of the first canal, brought the rough 
heights of Vicksburg within their sphere of vision, 
though the town lay, for the present, buried in the dark- 
ness, except where now and then the twinkling of a 
starry light was seen. 

As the boats, with lights out and fires carefully hid- 
den, floated past, indistinct as the ghosts of Ossian in 
the mountain mists, it was curious to note the effect 
upon the spectators. Before they appeared, the hum of 
conversation was heard all around. All were busy with 
speculations as to the probabilities of success. The de- 
sponding prognosticated unmitigated disaster. The 
hopeful indulged in confident speculations. All were 
contented to endure some loss, provided a sufficiency ar- 
rived at the destined point to accompUsh the object con- 
templated. 

As the various boats came slowly into view, stole past 
with noiseless motion, then vanished into the recesses 
of the shadowy shore, each voice was hushed ; only in 
subdued and smothered tones were persons, at intervals, 
heard to ask a question or venture an observation. It 
seemed as if each one felt that his silence was due to the 
impressive scene ; as if an indiscreet utterance on hi? 



238 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

part might raise the vail of secrecy, so necessary to be 
preserved in the presence of a watchful foe. 

A painful expectation weighed on every spirit. The 
boats must now be nec.r the point opposite the belea- 
guered city. Will they be discovered at the first ap- 
proach, or will a kindly fortune give them easy passage 
by ? Suddenly a flame starts up ! Another and another 
leaps into the darkness of the night ! The enemy hag 
seen the passing boats, and is sending across the river 
his death-dealing messengers. Rapid now dart the mo- 
mentary fires ; the iron rain of the remorseless cannon 
hurtles upon the dim and gliding boats. Dull upon the 
heavy air, scarce nerved by the night wind, which blows 
in a direction unfavorable for their heai^ng, reverberates 
the heavy thud of the cannon. 

As the time passes, the batteries lower and still lower 
come into action. The gazers can trace the course of the 
fleet by new flames, that each moment startle the 
strained sight; and cannon, for miles along the hazy 
shore, are hurling their destructive missiles. A new a<v 
cessory now adds its influence to the exciting scene. 
While the spectators had been engaged in watching the 
vivid flames leaping from cannon mouths and exploding 
shells, a gleam of light, first pale and soft, then red and 
lurid, and at last glaring and refulgent, stole up into the 
heavens above the opposing city. For the first time, the 
silence was broken by the gazing crowds upon the steam- 
boats of the fleet. " Vicksburg is on fire !" was uttered 
in excited tones. But it was not so. Steady and with 
wonderful brilliancy, upon the hill on which the city 
tttands, the fire assumed a circular outline on the upper 
edge, much like a third part of the full moon when. 



DASING ENTERPRISES OP OFFICERS AND MEN. 231} 

apparently magnified, it is rising above the horizon. The 
flame glowed brilliant and beautiful — no smoke was visi 
ble to dim its splendor. It was a beacon light, placed 
in a position to throw its beams along each arm of the 
bend of the river, the convex side of which is turned 
toward Vicksburg. So powerful was the light that, at 
the point where the steamboat fleet was moored, the 
shadow of a hand, held a foot from the boat's side, was 
distinctly thrown upon it. This beacon, with treacher- 
ous fidelity, showed to the foe the now fast disappearing 
boats ; but, happily, it was fired too late. The sight of 
the boats appeared to add new rage to the enemy, who 
could not fail to count the cost to him of such a fleet 
joining Farragut's three gunboats already between Vicks- 
burg and Port Hudson. The firing became more rapid. 
From the upper batteries to the last ones down at War- 
renton, leaped flame ou flame. The dull echo of the 
cannon, and the whirr and shriek of the flying shells, 
startled the midnight air. But now comes a roar which 
tells that the Union boys are awake and lively ! The 
light that showed the boats to the enemy, revealed to 
the gunners on the gunboats the outlines of the batteries, 
and the roar which deafens the ear to every other sound 
is the peal of their heavy pieces. After an interval of 
maddest rage, the upper guns of the enemy almost 
cease their fire. It is evident that the boats have passed 
the first reached batteries — all of them that have es- 
caped the deadly onset. That no large portion of them 
is missing, is apparent from the activity of the forts at 
Warrenton, and the answering thunders of the UnioD 
guns. 

By this time the beacon light was burnt down, and 



240 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

ceased to render its cruel aid. Just as the gathering 
darkness and the yet longer and larger intervals of silence 
gave intimation that the exciting scene was nearly over, 
another startling incident woke anew the emotions of 
the time. Midway between the extinct beacon in the 
city and the lower batteries at Warrenton, a new glow 
of light, soft as the dawn, but rapidly blushing into 
deeper intensity, climbed gently toward the sky. "They 
are lighting another beacon," shouted many voices ; but 
again the speakers were mistaken. The light grew 
stronger every moment ; it wanted the mellow, vivid, 
space-penetrating brilliancy of the beacon ; above it 
rolled volumes of thick curling smoke ; and more — the 
light, with slow and equal pace, was moving down the 
stream! There was no disguising the truth — one of 
our own boats was on fire. The white color of the 
smoke showed that among the fuel to the flame was 
cotton. The inference was plain ; it was not a gunboat 
but a transport that was burning, for the latter, alone, 
were protected by bales of cotton. On floated the doomed 
vessel ; her light doubtless exposed to the rebels' view 
the floating flat boats and barges ; further firing, espe- 
cially from the Warrenton batteries, was for a short time 
violently renewed. 

The glow of the burning boat continued in sight until 
the beams of morning hid its glare. Before this, more- 
over, the solemn drama had reached its termination 
The spectators reluctantly retired to their cabins, when 
nothing remained to engage the attention but the flaminfj 
wreck and scattering shots : 

" The distant and random gun, 
That the foe was sullenly firing." 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 241 

It was not until noon of the next day (April 17, 
1863) that the account of the fate of the expedition 
reached the Union camp at Young's Point. The eight 
gunboats reached their destination with but slight in- 
juries or loss of life, only one man having been killed 
and two wounded. The transport Henry Clay was 
burned ; but the other transports, flat boats, etc., made 
the passage in safety, and the crew of the Henry Clay 
reached the shore and joined some of the other boats. 
A few days later, Admiral Porter sent a second squad- 
ron of gunboats and transports down, but the transports 
in this expedition were seriously damaged. 



THE CAVALRY FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION. 

This action, one of the most brilliant in which our 
cavalry were engaged, and one of the first in which 
they won the reputation of being superior to the rebela 
in that arm of the service, in which they had especially 
plumed themselves, is thus graphically described by a 
participator in it : 

" It was the prettiest cavaljy fight that you ever saw, 
said the adjutant, stretching his legs, and lighting a 
fresh cigar. 

" It was just my luck to lose it," I answered. •* Here 
have I been lying, growling and grumbling, while 
you fellows have been distinguishing yourselves. It 
was miserable to be taken sick just when the army 

16 



242 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

got in motion, and still worse not to hear a word of 
what was going on. I almost wished that we had been 
a Twwspaper regiment, so that I could learn something 
about our share in that day's work. Be a good fellow, 
*nd play reporter for my benefit. Freshen hawse, as the 
nautical novelists say, and begin." 

"' Well, we were lying at Warrenton Junction, making 
ourselves as comfortable as possible after the raid, when 
on the morning of the 8th of June, the whole division 
was ordered out in the very lightest marching order. 
That night we lay close to Kelly's Ford, in column of 
battalions, the men holding their horses as they slept, 
and no fires being lighted. 

"At four o'clock on the morning of the 9th, we were 
again in motion, and got across the ford without inter- 
ruption or discovery. Yorke, with the third squadron, 
was in advance, and as we moved, he managed so well 
that he bagged every picket on the road. Thus we had 
got almost upon the rebel camp before we were discovered. 
We rode right into Jones' Brigade, the First Jersey and 
First Pennsylvania charging together ; and before they 
had recovered from the alarm we had a hundred and 
fifty prisoners. The rebels were then forming thick 
upon the hill-side by the station, and they had a battery 
playing upon us like fun. Martin's New York Battery 
on our side galloped into position, and began to answer 
them. Then Wyndham formed his whole brigade for a 
charge, except a squadron of the First Maryland, left 
to support the battery. Our boys went in splendidly, 
keeping well together, and making straight for the rebel 
battery on the hill behind the station. Wyndham 
himself rode on the right, and Broderick charged more 



r>4RING ENTERPRISES OP OFPICERS AND MEN. 243 

toward the left, and with a yell we were on them. We 
were only two hundred and eighty strong, and in front 
of us was White's Battalion of five hundred. No mat- 
ter for that. Wyndham and Broderick were leading, 
and they were not accustomed to count odds. 

"As we dashed fiercely into them, sabre in hand, they 
broke like a wave on the bows of a ship, and over and 
through them we rode, sabreing as we went. We could 
not stop to take prisoners, for there in front of us was 
the Twelfth Virginia, six hundred men, riding down to 
support White. By Jove, sir, that was a charge ! They 
came up splendidly, looking steadier than we did our- 
selves after the shock of the first charge. I do not 
know whether Wyndham was still with us, or if he had 
gone to another regiment; but there was Broderick, 
looking full of fight, his blue eyes in a blaze, and his 
sabre clenched, riding well in front. At them we went 
igain, and some of them this time met us fairly. I saw 
Broderick's sabre go through a man, and the rebel gave 
a convulsive leap out of his saddle, falling senseless to 
the ground. It seemed but an instant before the rebels 
were scattered in every direction, trying now and then 
to rally in small parties, but never daring to await our 
approach. 

" Now, there were the guns plain before us, the 
drivers yelling at their horses, and trying to limber up. 
We caught one gun before they could move it, and were 
dashing after the others, when I heard Broderick shout- 
ing in a stormy voice. I tell you, it was a startling sight 
The fragments of White's Battalion had gathered to- 
get^ier toward the left of the field, and were charging in 
our rear. The First Maryland was there, and Broderick 



244 OARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

was Bhouting at them in what their colonel considered a 
' very ungentlemanly manner,' to move forward to the 
charge. At the same time two fresh regiments, the 
Eleventh Virginia, and anot.ier, were coming down on 
our front. Instead of dashing at White's men, the 
First Maryland wavered and broke, and then we were 
charged at the same time in front and rear. We had 
to let the guns go, and gather together as well as possi- 
ble to cut ourselves out. Gallantly our fellows met the 
attack. We were broken, of course, by the mere 
weight of the attacking force, but, breaking them up too, 
the whole field was covered with small squads of fight- 
ing men. I saw Broderick ride in with a cheer, and 
open a way for the men. His horse went down in 
the melee ; but little Wood, the bugler of Company G, 
sprang down, and gave him his animal, setting off" him- 
self to catch another. A rebel rode at the bugler, and 
succeeded in getting away his arms before help came. 
As Wood still went after a horse another fellow rode 
at him. 

" The boy happened at that moment to see a carbine, 
where it had been dropped after firing. He picked up 
the empty weapon, aimed it at the horseman, made him 
dismount, give up his arms, and start for the rear 
Then he went in again. Lucas, Hobensack, Brooks, 
and Beekman, charged with twelve men into White's 
Battalion. Fighting hand to hand, they cut their wa;> 
through, but left nine of the men on the ground behind 
them. Hughes was left almost alone in a crowd, but 
brought himself and the men with him safe through. 
Major Shelmire was seen last lying across the dead body 
of a rebel cavalryman None of us thought any thing 



DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 245 

of two to one odds, as long as we had a chance to ride 
at them. It was only when we got so entangled that 
we had to fight hand to hand that their numbers told 
heavily. It was in such a place that I lost sight of 
Broderick. The troop horse that he was riding was not 
strong enough to ride through a knot of men, so that he 
had to fight them. He struck one so heavily that he 
was stunned by the blow, but his horse was still in the 
way; swerving to one side, he escaped a blow from 
another, and, warding off the thrust of a third, man- 
aged to take him with his point across the forehead ; 
just as he did so, however, his sabre, getting tangled 
with the rebel's, was jerked from his hand. 

"He always carried a pistol in his boot. Pulling 
that out, he fired into the crowd, and put spurs to his 
horse. The bullet hit a horse in front of him, which 
fell. His own charger rose at it, but stumbled, and 
as it did, Broderick himself fell, from a shot fired 
within arms' length of him and a sabre stroke upon his 
side. 

" I saw all this as a man sees things at such times, 
and am not positive even that it all occurred as 1 
thought I saw it ; for I was in the midst of confusion, 
and only caught things around by passing glimpses. 
You see I was myself having as much as I could do 
The crowd with whom Broderick was engaged was a 
little distance from me ; and I had just wheeled to ride 
up to his help when two fellows put at me. The first 
one fired at me and missed. Before he could again cock 
his revolver I succeeded in closing with him. My sabre 
took him just in the neck, and must have cut the jugu- 
lar. The olood gusaed out in a black looking stream ; 



246 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

he gave a horrible yell, and fell over the side of his 
horse, which galloped away. Then I gathered up my 
reins, spurred my horse, and went at the other one. I 
was riding that old black horse that used to belong to 
the signal sergeant, and it was in fine condition. As I 
drove in the spurs it gave a leap high in the air. That 
plunge saved my life. The rebel had a steady aim at 
me ; but the ball went through the black horse's brain. 
His feet never touched ground again. With a terrible 
convulsive contraction of all his muscles the black 
turned over in the air, and fell on his head and side 
stone dead, pitching me twenty feet. I lighted on my 
pistol, the butt forcing itself far into my side ; my sabre 
sprung out of my hand, and I lay, with arms and legs 
all abroad, stretched out like a dead man. Everybody 
had something else to do than to attend to me, and there 
I lay where I had fallen. 

" It seemed to me to have been an age before I began 
painfully to come to myself; but it could not have been 
many minutes. Every nerve was shaking ; there was a 
terrible pain in my head, and a numbness through my 
side which was even worse. Fighting was still going 
on around me, and my first impulse was to get hold of 
my sword. I crawled to it and sank down as I grasped 
it once more. That was only for a moment; for a 
rebel soldier seeing me move, rode at me. The pres- 
ence of danger roused me, and I managed to get to 
my horse, behind which I sank, resting my pistol on the 
saddle, and so contriving to get an aim. As soon as the 
man saw that, he turned oflf without attacking me. I 
was now able to stand and walk ; so, holding my pistol 
in one hand a d my sabre in the other, T made my way 



DABING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 24? 

across the fields to where our battery was posted, scaring 
some with my pistol, and shooting others. Nobody 
managed to hit me through the whole fight. When 1 
got up to the battery I found Wood there. He sang out 
to me to wait, and he would get me a horse. One of 
the men, who had just taken one, was going past, so 
Wood stopped him and got it for me. 

" Just at that moment White's Battalion and some 
other troops came charging at the battery. The squad- 
ron of the First Maryland, who were supporting it, met 
the charge well as far as their numbers went ; but were, 
of course, flanked on both sides by the heavy odds. All 
of our men who were free came swarming up the hill, 
and the cavalry were fighting over and around the guns. 
In spite of the confusion, and even while their comrades 
at the same piece were being sabred, the men at that 
battery kept to their duty. They did not even look up 
or around, but kept up their fire with unwavering 
steadiness. There was one rebel, on a splendid horse, 
who sabred three gunners while I was chasing him. 
He wheeled in and out, would dart away, and then 
come sweeping back and cut down another man in a 
manner that seemed almost supernatural. We at last 
succeeded in driving him away, but we could not 
catch or shoot him, and he got off" without a scratch, 

" In the meantime the fight was going on elsewhere. 
Kilpatrick's Brigade charged on our right. The Second 
New York did not behave as well as it has sometimes 
done since, and the loss of it weakened us a great deal 
The Tenth New York, though, went in well, and the 
First Main 3 did splendidly, as it always does. In spite 
of their superior numbers (Stuart had a day or two 



248 DARING ENTERPRISES OF OFFICERS AND MEN. 

before reviewed thirty thousand cavalry at Culpeppei, 
according to the accounts of rebel officers), we beat 
them heavily, and would have routed them completely 
if Duffie's Brigade had come ^p. He, however, was 
engaged with two or three hundred men on the left ; 
the aide-de-camp sent to him with orders was wounded 
and taken prisoner, and he is not the sort of man to 
ftnd out the critical point in a fight of his own accord. 

" So now, they bringing up still more reserves, and 
a whole division of theirs coming on the field, we began 
tx) fall back. We had used them up so severely that 
they could not press us very close, except in the neigh- 
borhood of where the Second New York charged. 
There some of our men had as much as they could do 
to get out, and the battery had to leave three of its guns. 
We formed in the woods between a quarter and half a mile 
of the field, another regiment moved back to cover the 
left of Buford, who was in retreat toward Beverly Ford 
Hart and Wynkoop tried hard to cover the guns that 
were lost, but they had too few men, and so had to 
leave them. The rebels were terribly punished. By 
their own confession they lost three times as many as 
we did. In our regiment almost every soldier must 
have settled his man. Sergeant Craig, of Company K, 
I believe, killed three. Slate, of the same company, 
also went above the average. But we lost terribly 
Sixty enlisted men of the First Jersey were killed, 
wounded, or missing. Colonel Wyndham was wounded, 
but kept his saddle ; Lieutenant-Colonel Broderick and 
Major Shelmire were killed ; Lieutenant Brooks was 
wounded; Captain Sawyer and Lieutenant Crocker 
were taken prisoners ; and I, as "^^ou see, have had to 
come in at last and refit." 



DEEDS OF HEBOIC COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 249 



THE DESTRUCTION OF THE "ALBEMARLE." 

The rebel iron-clad ram, the "Albemarle," whose con- 
test with and discomfiture by the " Sassacus," in May, 
1864, has been previously described in this volume, and 
which had become a formidable obstruction to the occu- 
pation of the North Carolina sounds by the Union 
forces, finally met her fate in October of the same year. 
During the previous summer. Lieutenant W. B. Cushing, 
commanding the " Monticello," one of the sixteen ves- 
sels engaged in watching the " ram," conceived the plan 
of destroying their antagonist by means of a torpedo. 
Upon submitting the plan to Rear-Admiral Lee and the 
Na^'y Department, he was detached from his vessel, and 
seni, to New York to provide the articles necessar}^ for 
his purpose, and these preparations having been at last 
completed, he returned again to the scene of action. 
His plan was to affix his newly-contrived torpedo appa- 
ratus to one of the picket launches — little steamers not 
larger than a seventy-four's launch, but fitted with a 
compact engine, and designed to relieve the seamen 
of the fatigue of pulling about at night on the naval 
picket line — and of which half a dozen had been then 
recently built under the superintendence of Captain 
Hoggs, of " Varuna" fame. Under Lieutenant Cush- 
mg's supervision, picket launch No. 1 was supplied 
with the torpedo — which was carried in a basket, fixed 
to a long arm, which could be propelled, at the impor- 
tant, moment, from the vessel in such a manner as to 
reach the side of the vessel to be destroyed, there to b*' 



250 DEEDS OF HEBOIG COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 

fastened, and exploded at the will of those in the to^ 
pedo boat, without serions risk to themselves. Having 
prepared his boat, he selected thirteen men, six of whom 
were officers, to assist him in the undertaking. His 
first attempt to reach the "Albemarle" failed, as his 
boat got aground, and was only with difficulty released. 
On the following night, however, he again set out upon 
his perilous duty, determined and destined, this time, to 
succeed. Moving cautiously, with muffled oars, up the 
narrow Roanoke, he skilfully eluded the observation of the 
numerous forts and pickets with which that river was 
lined, and passing within twenty yards of a picket vessel, 
without detection, he soon found himself abreast of the 
town of Plymouth. The night was very dark and stormy, 
and having thus cleared the pickets, the launch crossed to 
the other side of the river opposite the town, and sweep- 
ing round, came down upon the "Albemarle" from up 
the stream. The " ram" was moored near a wharf, and 
by the light of a large camp fire on the shore, Gushing 
saw a large force of infantry, and also discerned that the 
" ram" was protected by a boom of pine logs, which ex- 
tended about twenty feet from her. The watch on the 
"Albemarle" knew nothing of his approach till he was 
close upon them, when they hailed, "What boat is 
that?" and were answered, "the ^Albemarle's' boat;" 
and the same instant the launch struck, " bows on," 
against the boom of logs, crashing them in about ten 
feet, and running its bows upon them. She was imme- 
diately greeted with a heavy and incessant infantry fire 
fix)m the shore, while the ports of the "Albemarle" were 
apened, and a gun trained upon the daring party. 
Cashing promptly replied wit i a dose of canister, but 



DEEDS OP HEROIC GOUfiAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 251 

the gallant yomg fellow had enough for one man to 
manage. He had a line attached to his engineer's leg, 
to pull in lieu of bell signals ; another line to detach the 
torpedo, and another to explode it, besides this, he 
managed the boom which was to place the torpedo under 
the vessel, and fired the howitzer with his own hand. 
But he coolly placed the torpedo in its place and ex- 
ploded it. At the same moment he was struck on the 
right wrist with a musket ball, and a shell from tl^ 
"Albemarle" went crashing through the launch. The 
whole afiair was but the work of a few minutes. 
Each man had now to save himself as best he might. 
Gushing threw oflf his coat and shoes, and leaping into 
the water, struck out for the opposite shore, but the cries 
of one of his drovming men attracting the enemy's fire, 
he turned down the stream. The water was exceed- 
ingly cold, and his heavy clothing rendered it very dif- 
ficult for him to keep afloat, and after about an hour's 
swimming he went ashore, and fell exhausted upon the 
bank. On coming to his senses, he found himself near 
a sentry and two officers, who were discussing the affair, 
and heard them say that Gushing was dead. Thinking 
that he had better increase the distance between the 
rebels and himself, he managed to shore himself along 
on his back, by working with his heels against the 
ground, until he reached a place of concealment. 

After dark, he proceeded through the swamp for some 
distance, lacerating his feet and hands with the briara 
and oyster shells. He next day met an old negro whom 
he thought he could trust. The negro was jBrightened at 
Cushing's wild appearance, and tremblingly asked who 
he was. " I am a Yankee," replied Gushing, " and 1 



252 DEEDS OP HEROIC COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 

am one of the men who blew up the ^Albemarle.' 
" My golly, massa !" said the negro, " ley kill you if 
dey catch you. You dead gone sure." Gushing asked 
him if he could trust him to go into the town and bring 
him back the news. The negro assented, and Gushing 
gave him all the money he had, and sent him off. He 
then climbed up a tree and opened his jack-knife, the 
only weapon he had, and prepared for any attack which 
might be made. 

After a time the negro came back, and to Gushing's 
joy, reported the "Albemarle" sunk and the people 
leaving the town. Gushing then went further down the 
river, and found a boat on the opposite bank belonging 
to a picket guard. He once more plunged into the 
chilly river, and detached the boat, but, not daring to 
get into it, let it drift down the river, keeping himself 
concealed. At last, thinking he was far enough away 
to elude observation, he got into the boat, and paddled 
for eight hours, until he reached the squadron. After 
hailing them, he fell into the bottom of the boat, utterly 
exhausted by hunger, cold, fatigue, and excitement, to 
:he surprise of the people in the squadron, who were 
somewhat distrustful of him when he first hailed, think- 
ing him a rebel who was trying some trick. 

Nothing, indeed, but an overruling Providence and 
an iron will ever saved Gushing from death. He saw 
two of his men drown, who were stronger than he, and 
said of himself, that when he paddled his little boat, his 
arms and his will were the only living parts of his organ- 
ization. 

One man of the party returned on the " Valley Gity,** 



DEEDS OP HEROIC COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE 253 

having been picked up after he had travelled across the 
country, and been in the swamps nearly two days. 

But one or two were wounded, and the larger part 
were captured by the rebels, being unable to extricate 
themselves from their perilous position among the logs 
of the boom, under the guns of the " ram." The '* Albe- 
marle" had one of her bows stove in by the explosion 
of the torpedo, and sank at her moorings within a few 
moments, without loss of life to her crew. Her fate 
opened the river to the Union forces, who quickly occu- 
pied Plymouth — the North Carolina sounds were again 
cleared from rebel craft, and the large fleet of vessels, 
which had been occupied in watching the iron-clad, were 
released from that arduous duty. Lieutenant Curbing, 
to whose intrepidity and skill the country is indebted 
for these results, was engaged in thirty-five fights during 
the war, and, exhausted as he was after this gallant 
expl )it, made the journey to his home in Western New 
York^ near Dunkirk, to vote, being one of those who 
belie\e8 that ballots are as important as bullets, in the 
oresei vation of the National life and liberties. 



HETTY McEWEN 

AN INCIDENT OF THE OOOUPATION OF NASHVniLE 

BY LUCY HAMILTON HOOPER. 

O Hetty McEwenI Hetty McEwen? 
What were the angry rebels doing, 
That autumn day, in Nashville town ? 
They looked aloft wi*ih oath and frown. 



254 DEEDS OF HEBOIG COURAGE AND SELF-SACKIFICB. 

And saw the Stars and Stripes wave high 
Against the blue of the sunny sky ; 
Deep was the oath, and dark the frown, 
And loud the shout of " Tear it down !" 

For over Nashville, &r and wide. 
Rebel banners the breeze defied. 
Staining heaven with crimson bars ; 
Only the one old " Stripes and Stars" 
Waved, where autumn leaves were strewing, 
Round the home of Hetty McEwen, 

Hetty McEwen watched that day 
Where her son on his death-bed lay ; 
She heard the hoarse and angry cry— 
The blood of " '76 " rose high. 
Out-flashed her eye, her cheek grew warm. 
Uprose her aged stately form ; 
Prom her window, with steadfast brow, 
She looked upon the crowd below. 

Eyes all aflame with angry fire 

Flashed on her in defiant ire, 

And once more rose the angry call, 

" Tear down that flag, or the house shall fail i 

Never a single inch quailed she, 

Her answer rang out firm and free : 

" Under the roof where that flag flies, 

Now my son on his death-bed lies ; 

Bom where that banner floated high, 

'Neath its folds he shall surely die. 

Not for threats nor yet for suing 

Shall it fall," said Hetty McEwen. 

The loyal heart and steadfast hand 
Claimed respect from the traitor band ; 
The fiercest rebel quailed that day 
before that woman stem and gray. 
They went in silence, one by one — 
Left her there with her dying son. 



DEEDS OP HEBOIG OOUBAOE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 255 

And left the old flag floating free 

O'er the bravest heart in Tennessee, 

To wave in loyal splendor there 

Upon that treason-tainted air, 

Until the rebel rule was o'er 

And Nashville town was ours once more. 

Game the day when Fort Donelson 

Fell, and the rebel reign was done ; 

And into Nashville, Buell, then. 

Marched with a hundred thousand men, 

With waving flags and rolling drums 

Past the heroine's house he comes ; 

He checked his steed and bared his head, 

'' Soldiers I salute that flag," he said ; 

"And cheer, boys, cheer 1 — give three times three 

For the bravest woman in Tennessee I" 



One of Logan's Men. — At Fort Donelson a younj, 
man, attached to the Thirty-first Regiment of Dlinoie 
Volunteers (Colonel John A. Logan), received a musket- 
shot wound in the right thigh, the ball passing through 
the intervening flesh, and lodging in the left thigh. 
The boy repaired to the rear and applied to the doctor 
to dress his wound. He, however, manifested a peculiar 
reserve in the matter, requesting the doctor to keep his 
misfortune a secret from his comrades and officers. He 
then asked the surgeon if he would dress his wound at 
once, in order that he might be enabled to return to the 
fight. The surgeon told him that he was not in a con- 
dition to admit of his return, and that he had better go 
to the hospital ; but the young brave insisted upon going 
back, ofiering as an argument in favor of it the fact that 
he had fired twenty-two rounds after receiving his wound 
and he was confident he could fire as many more after 



256 DEEDS OF HEROIC COURAGE AND SELF-SACRIFICE. 

his wound should be dressed. The surgeon found he 
could not prevent his returning to the field, so he attend- 
ed to his wants, and the young soldier went off to rejoin 
his comrades in their struggle, and remained, dealing out 
his ammunition to good account until the day was over, 
as if nothing had happened to him. Several days after 
he returned to the doctor to have his wound redressed, 
and continued to pay him daily visits in his leisure hours, 
attending to duty in the meantime. 



The Acre of Fire. — At the battle of luka, Captain, 
afterward Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur C. Ducat, then an 
officer of General Ord's staff, and subsequently Inspector- 
General of the Army of the Cumberland, seeing a divi- 
sion of rebels about to flank one of the Union regiments, 
rode up and informed Rosecrans of the danger. " Ride 
on and warn Stanley at once," said the general. Ad 
acre of fire, and showered with bullets, lay between 
them and the menaced troops. The officer looked at it, 
and said : " General, I have a wife and children." 

" You knew that when you came here," said the gen- 
eral, coolly. 

" ril go, sir," was the only answer. 

" Stay a moment. We must make sure of this," and 
hastily writing some despaches, the general called three 
<^f his orderlies. Giving a despatch to each, he said to 
the officer : "Now go." He started, and at intervals of 
about fifty yards, bearing a similar message, the order- 
lies followed. The officer ran the fiery gauntlet, and, 
his clothes pierced with bullets, and his horse reeling 
from a mortal wound, reached Stanley — the orderlies 
found their graves on that acre of fire ! 



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